HC Deb 02 November 1988 vol 139 c676W
18. Mr. John Marshall

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about the progress being made by local authorities in putting services out to tender.

Mr. Gummer

Authorities are now fully engaged in implementing the competition provisions of the Local Government Act 1988. Detailed implementation regulations were made in July and the first round of contracts have to be let by 1 August 1989.