§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps are being taken by Government Departments and Agencies that have removed retentions to ensure that their first line contractors do not demand retentions from their supply chain. [122146]
§ Mr. BoatengInformation on Government Departments and Agencies retentions practices is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which Government Departments and Agencies(a) have removed retentions from their 272W construction contracts and (b) intend to remove retentions from such contracts within the next 12 months; and what the total value was of work procured by these Departments and Agencies in the last 12 months. [122206]
§ Mr. BoatengInformation on all Government Departments and Agencies retentions practices is not held centrally and could be only obtained at disproportionate cost. However a Supplementary Memorandum by the Department of Trade and Industry setting out practices of some central Government Departments and Agencies in respect of retentions was provided to the Trade and Industry Select Committee in November 2002. This memorandum is available on the select committee website at http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm200203/cmselect/cmtrdind/ 127/127ap34.htm