§ Mr. KnapmanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has considered the response by Leeds city council to the notice served on the authority on 10 September 1993 under section 13 of the Local Government Act 1988; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. BaldryMy right hon. Friend has considered carefully the response which Leeds city council has made to the notice served on the authority, and has today given the authority a direction under section 14 of the Local Government Act 1988. The effect of the direction is to require the authority, when it next re-tenders the work which was the subject of the notice, to seek my right hon. Friend's consent should it wish to reassign the work to the direct services organisation. The direction also requires the authority to ensure that future contracts allow contractors the opportunity to rectify any default in performance before penalties are incurred.