§ 33. Mr. Liptonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if, by legislation or otherwise, he will require all Government Departments and nationalised 187 boards inviting tenders to publish the names of tendering firms and the totals of each tender.
§ Sir E. BoyleThe practice of nationalised industries in this matter is the responsibility of the boards themselves. As regards Government Departments. my right hon. and learned Friend is not prepared to issue a general direction of this kind.
§ Mr. LiptonWill not the Financial Secretary be willing to come clean on this matter? Would it not inspire greater confidence that everything is fair and above board if the details for which I have asked were published in all cases where public money is involved? How on earth is the public to know whether these tenders are really competitive unless these details are published? What have the Government got to hide?
§ Sir E. BoyleI am satisfied that this is a matter which must be left to Departments to decide in the light of the various circumstances of Government contracts. If the hon. Member would like to correspond with me or to see me about the matter, I shall be prepared to discuss it with him further.