§ Ms. RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received in support of his proposal to use the provisions of section 94 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 to prevent local authority direct labour organisations from being able to tender for utility work.
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§ Mr. Chope[holding answer 2 December 1991]: As the hon. Lady will recall, the vote in the House on 22 May 1991 produced 130 representations in favour, and only 38 against. Since then, I have received a small number of representations against the proposal.
§ Ms. RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) when he intends to consult on his proposals for the use of section 94 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 to prevent local authority direct labour organisations from being able to tender for utility work;
(2) for what reasons he has decided not to monitor the implementation of part III of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991, before considering whether to use his power under the provisions of section 94 to prevent local authority direct labour organisations from being able to tender for utility work;
(3) what evidence is available, to date, to enable him to assess the length of the transitional period after which the local authority direct labour organisations will be prevented by section 94 of the New Roads and Street Works Act from tendering for utility work.
§ Mr. Chope[holding answer 2 December 1991]: No decision has yet been taken on the timing of consultations about section 94.
§ Ms. RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what opinions the utilities have expressed in relation to his proposal to use the provisions of section 94 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 to prevent local authority direct labour organisations from being able to tender for utility work.
§ Mr. Chope[holding answer 2 December 1991]: I have received a letter from the national joint utilities group expressing concern at the proposal, to which I have replied.