Will Prescott light the torch?

A ragged prophet once had a message of great importance to deliver to a Middle Eastern king. But he faced a considerable impediment in his task - the king couldn't be bothered to listen and so refused to see him.

The prophet did not give up hope. Instead he stationed himself outside the city gates and set fire to the king's fields. It wasn't long before the monarch was rushing out to hear what he had to say.

Although it is hard to cast 'Johnny two-jags' Prescott in the role of impoverished seer, the deputy prime minister might do well to employ the prophet's tactics.

The top 5 per cent of construction was well represented at last week's seminar. It was quite clear that they are wholeheartedly committed to his reform drive. But what of the other 95 per cent? Many may barely know what the 'Egan report' is, so certainly haven't read it.

If the Government wants to change this quickly it could start burning their fields.

The MoD has already shown the way. It has set out quite deliberately to improve its own procurement performance by first of all changing the industry. In a veritable parable of talents, it is going to drop nine out of ten unworthy suppliers and give their work to companies - large or small - that have geared themselves up to do business its way. When contractors realised their livelihoods could go up in smoke, MoD bosses very quickly had their attention.

If John Prescott is serious about revolutionising construction - a phrase he used repeatedly at the conference - he should torch a few acres in Government department construction programmes, and in the safe pastures of local authority housing and construction work.

If he does so he will find the industry is all ears.