§ Mr. OppenheimTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the potential to reduce the cost of local government services by means of competitive tendering.
§ Mr. GummerExperience of voluntary competitive tendering indicates that savings of 20–30 per cent. of previous costs may be achieved. With expenditure on the services covered by the Act approaching £3 billion, it is clear that major savings are available.