§ Lord Brougham and Vauxasked Her Majesty's Government:
What response they have received from local authorities to their decision to postpone competitive tendering deadlines to enable the authorities affected to let their street cleaning contracts on the basis of the proposed code of practice on litter; and what consideration they have given to this response.
§ Baroness BlatchWe have received a number of submissions from local authorities about our decision to extend competition deadlines for street cleaning. In particular, it has been drawn to our attention that authorities whose work has until 1st April 1991 fallen outside the provisions of the Local Government Act 1988 because expenditure incurred has fallen below £100,000 per annum are in a similar position to those authorities announced by my honourable friend the Minister for Local Government on 20th July in another place who have already been granted an extension. We therefore intend to substitute a later deadline of 1st August 1991 for all authorities whose street cleaning work is required to be submitted to competition by 1st April 1991. We shall make an order giving effect to this intention. My right honourable friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and Wales will make similar arrangements for Scottish and Welsh authorities.