§ Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the Independent Contracts Review Board set up in 1967 to explore, amongst other matters, Government contracts where there is a dispute over excessive profits; what success it has obtained; and whether Government access has been obtained to the books of companies engaged both on military and civil work, so that the fullest information can be secured.
§ Mr. Joel BarnettThe Review Board for Government Contracts, which was set up on 1st August 1969, was invited to carry out first an interim review of the arrangements for non-competitive Government contracts, and later a wider-ranging general review. The board's report, dated 21st July 1970, on the interim review, together with a supplement dated 29th June 1971, have been published and placed in the Library of the House, as 417W have its annual reports. The board is now engaged on the general review. The report on this is expected later this year.
When Government Departments have to place contracts non-competitively they are able, by means of specific contract conditions, to secure equality of information and the right to post-cost the contract.