Oral Answers to Questions — Roads – in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 8 Ebrill 1964.
Hon. Nicholas Ridley
, Cirencester and Tewkesbury
12:00,
8 Ebrill 1964
asked the Minister of Transport if he will henceforth call for tenders for the design as well as the construction of civil engineering works.
Mr Ernest Marples
, Wallasey
No, Sir. I do not consider that tenders on a design and construction basis are suitable for road works in the conditions obtaining in this country.
Hon. Nicholas Ridley
, Cirencester and Tewkesbury
Is my right hon. Friend aware that probably large savings could be made in the cost of major constructions if we had competition in design as well as in construction? Would not he go as far as doing a few experimental projects of this sort, as this is what is done in America with great benefit?
Mr Ernest Marples
, Wallasey
There are many arguments for and against design and construction contracts, but most of the civil engineering work in my Department is confined to the construction of roads, where there is little scope for various designs. In some sorts of civil engineering work it might be desirable to allow contractors to put in alternative designs, but in respect of road work the scope is very limited.
Hon. Nicholas Ridley
, Cirencester and Tewkesbury
In view of the unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I beg to give notice that I shall endeavour to raise the matter on the Adjournment.
Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.
