§ 71. Mr. Nicholas BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the progress local councils are making in putting their services out to competitive tender under the provisions of the Local Government Act 1988.
§ Mr. GummerThe competition provisions of the Local Government Act 1988 are being implemented in stages under regulations made in July 1988. The first round of work won in competition has to be under way by 1 August this year with further rounds by 1 January and 1 August in subsequent years. A substantial number of authorities are going out to tender well ahead of the timetable and dividing up the work into sensible packages. Where anti-competitive practice is alleged by contractors my officials are following up the cases vigorously.