asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what is his Department's policy in employing private quantity surveyors; and if he will make a statement.
Most quantity surveying work is done by the Ministry's own staff, but outside firms are employed particularly for the preparation of Bills of Quantity. About 500 such commissions are given in an average year.Firms are chosen from a panel selected on the basis of size, suitability and location. To ensure an average of 2 to 3 commissions a year for those on the panel it has been customary for many years to select the final panel by ballot from suitable firms. This continuing practice has given rise to criticism.
Since a place on the Ministry's panel appears to be regarded by some as a criterion of professional standing, I have decided to dispense with the ballot and to increase the panel to include all those firms who meet the standard required. I do not intend to increase the volume of work given by my Department to private quantity surveyors. The selection of firms for commissions will continue to be made only on the basis of the Department's requirements.