§ Mr. FraserTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals the Government have to extend the requirements to advertise contracts and invite tenders to non-governmental bodies which operate by statutory authority.
§ Mr. PortilloThe advertisement of contracts is normally required where EC rules apply and is recommended in other cases. Currently there are EC rules on the procurement of supplies and works in both the public sector and the utilities sector—the energy, telecommunications, transport and water sectors. Similar EC rules on the procurement of some types of services will have to be implemented for the public sector by 1 July 1993 and, if adopted as planned, for the utilities by 1 July 1994. At present the EC rules on the procurement of works in the public sector cover some non-departmental public bodies not subject to the rules for supplies contracts. Under a further proposal the coverage of the rules on supplies will be aligned with the coverage for works, probably from 1 January 1995.