Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the information note Open Book Contract Management, published by the Crown Commercial Service in May 2016, whether timely payment of subcontractors and the assumed profit margins of those subcontractors are tracked in the Government's open book accounting.

The scope of Open Book Contract Management (OBCM) is dependent on the type of contract and the level to which it is applied.

In contracts where there is risk and complexity, and a significant delivery role for sub-contractors, information about payment to them, and the assumed margins, could form part of OBCM activities, where these were considered to be part of the commercial drivers of the contract.

However, the overall application of OBCM is determined by the Contracting Authority and the specific nature of the contract in question.