HC Deb 25 November 1987 vol 123 c226W
Mr. Wilson

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what safeguards exist to ensure that small companies which are sub-contracted to carry out central Government works receive moneys due to them from the main contractors.

Mr. Brooke

For Government works contracts, the contracting authority's legal relationship is with the main contractor. Other than in special circumstances, the relationship between the main contractor and its subcontractors, including those nominated by the authority, is a matter for the parties concerned. Any safeguards that exist should therefore be contained within the contractual arrangements between those parties.