§ 15. Mr. RiddickTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will extend the range of local services put out to compulsory competitive tendering.
§ 19. Mr. Ian BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on compulsory competitive tendering for white collar services.
§ Mr. Robin SquireYes. My right hon. and learned Friend announced last November details of the Government's decision to extend compulsory competitive tendering to a wide range of local authority professional and corporate services. Arrangements for implementation are now being discussed with the local authority associations and others.
§ Mr. David EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will initiate statutory action against the London borough of Lambeth for failing to comply with compulsory competitive tendering legislation.
§ Mr. Robin SquireMy Department has today served five notices on Lambeth under section 19A of the Local Government Planning and Land Act 1980 and section 13 of the Local Government Act 1988. These notices relate to 625W possible failure to keep true and fair accounts for work carried out by the authority through its direct labour organisation and failure to submit to my right hon. and learned Friend statements showing that the required financial objectives in respect of this work have been met.
The notices require the authority to respond to the matters concerned by 30 April 1993. My right hon. and learned Friend will consider, in the light of Lambeth's responses, whether he should proceed to give directions under the Acts.