§ 48. Mr. Michael BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has regarding competitive tendering in local government in Scotland.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonLocal authorities are now fully engaged in implementing the competition provisions of the Local Government Act 1988. Detailed implementation regulations were made in August 1988 and 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.
From the limited information available so far it would appear that local authorities have themselves been winning contracts in a number of cases. But where any anti-competitive practice is alleged by contractors my officials will follow up the cases with the local authorities concerned.