Gareth ThomasTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will make a statement on the continued use of retentions in relation to public procurement contracts; [58141]
(2) whether Government Departments will continue the practice of requiring retentions when negotiating contracts with outside contractors. [58139]
§ Mr. Andrew SmithI refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Salisbury (Mr. Key) on 29 January 2002,Official Report, column 168W.