§ Mr. Clifton-BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what benefits to public sector tendering have resulted from the Strategic Forum for Construction since 22 April 2002; and what role Constructionline has played. [119616]
§ Nigel GriffithsThe responsibility for tendering arrangements lies with individual procuring Departments or Agencies.
The Strategic Forum for Construction launched the 'Accelerating Change Consultation document' on 22 April 2002, followed by the publication of its final report on 12 September 2002. The public sector will benefit from improvements across the industry, including more integrated working, driven by the implementation of 'Accelerating Change'. Following on from your similar question of last year answered by the then Minister for Energy and Construction on 24 May 2002, Official Report, column 627W, I am pleased to report good progress and the latest Key Performance Indicators (KPI's) that were, demonstrate steady improvement across the industry.
77WIn terms of public sector tendering 'Accelerating Change' says, "The Office of Government Commerce (OGC) has issued a series of guidance for central civil government clients. The OGC's 'gateway process' offers a highly relevant straightforward way to ensure that government clients are helped through the procurement process at all stages and that the principles of Rethinking Construction underpin this. The Forum congratulates OGC for taking the lead in this way."
Over the past 12 months Constructionline has been working with its clients to prevent duplicate information gathering; and with the Construction Health and Safety Assessment Scheme to ensure that their access to data through Constructionline reflects clients needs and the improvement agenda.