§ Mr. WilshireTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has yet considered the responses by Walsall metropolitan borough council and Canterbury city council to the notices served on the authorities on 21 November 1994 and 11 January 1995 under section 13 of the Local Government Act 1988; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Robert B JonesMy right hon. Friend has considered carefully the responses which Walsall metropolitan borough council and Canterbury city council have made to the notices served on the authorities on 21 November 1994 and 11 January 1995, and has today given the authorities directions under section 14 of the Local Government Act 1988.
The direction given to Walsall metropolitan borough council requires the authority to retender the contract for the repair and maintenance of vehicles and plant, which was the subject of the notice, so that new arrangements are in place by 1 April 1996, and to seek my right hon. Friend's consent should it wish to reassign the work in-house.542WThe direction given to Canterbury city council requires the authority to retender the contract for street cleansing and related services, which was the subject of the notice, so that new arrangements are in place by 1 January 1996, and to seek my right hon. Friend's consent should they wish to reassign the work to the direct service organisation.