§ Sir Thomas ArnoldTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what proposals he has to amend the Local Government (Direct Labour Organisations) (Competition) Regulations 1989, S.I., 1989, No. 1588;
(2) if he will make it his policy to apply regulation 6 of the Local Government (Direct Labour Organisations) (Competition) Regulations 1989, S.I., 1989 No. 1588, on compulsory competitive tendering, to all works of maintenance irrespective of their value.
§ Mr. RedwoodAll construction and maintenance work, other than a limited range of highways work, carried out by local authorities on their own account, is subject to the competitive tendering provisions of the Local Government Planning and Land Act 1980 and the regulations made thereunder. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport has consulted on proposals to subject the full range of highways work to these provisions, and the responses are being considered. We have no plans to amend the regulations in respect of the limited competition-free allowances provided for work carried out by authorities for other public bodies.