Child care contract lapses 'unacceptable'

Conflicts of interest highlighted

Conflicting interests in government tender processes are unacceptable, an MLC has warned.

Tynwald last week agreed to place stricter controls on procurement staff, and pay greater heed to the 'social value' of contracting long-established local providers.

It comes months after Island charity The Children's Centre lost out on a government child care contract - it later emerged one of those involved in the decision had vested interests in another bidding organisation.

Social Affairs Policy Review Committee chairman David Cretney says such misgivings cannot be repeated: