§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many highway contracts with an estimated value of £1 million or more have been advertised in theOfficial Journal of the European Communities, by each EU country, in each of the last three years.
§ Mr. Watts[holding answer 2 November 1994]: This is an operational matter for the Highways Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to my hon. Friend.
1316WLetter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Anthony Steen, dated 3 November 1994:
You put down a Parliamentary Question for answer by the Secretary of State about the number of highways contracts worth in excess of £1 million advertised in the Official Journal of the EU.As the information requested relates to operational matters for which the Highways Agency is now responsible, as promised by the Minister, John Watts, I am replying to your Question.However, I regret I am unable to provide the information you requested.The Highways Agency voluntarily advertise all highways works contracts with an estimated value of £1 million or more in the Official Journal. The EU threshold for compulsory advertisement is those worth ECU 5 million (currently equivalent to about £3.7 million) or more. The Agency does not keep a central record of the number of such advertisements and the information cannot be provided without incurring disproportionate cost.Regarding similar advertisements placed by other EU countries, it is not the Agency's policy to monitor these and I regret, therefore, that this information is not available within the Agency.