GRAFT IN BRITAIN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 230, 28 September 1935, Page 16

GRAFT IN BRITAIN.

STEPS TO COMBAT IT.

ROYAL AIR FORCE TENDERS. LONDON, August 22. A special committee is to be set up immediately to examine all tenders for work in connection with the increase in the Royal Air Force. This committee will not pay so much attention to the tenders themselves but the source from whence they come. Having satisfied itself that the firm making the tender is a firm of good standing and integrity, tho tenders will then be forwarded to the proper Departments for expert examination and decision. This was the meaning of Mr. Baldwin's statement "that no profiteering would be allowed in connection with the work, and special attention would be paid to all tenders submitted."

Actually there is more in this than appears on the surface. Graft is becoming so widespread, familiar and subtle in Britain to-day that nearly everybody is acquainted with it in some form or other and regard it as a matter of course, unless, it is so gross and crude that it becomes an open scandal. For instance, 1 the recent inquiries by the Ministry of Health and other authorities into allegations of municipal graft at many towns throughout the country have roused to fury countless good citizens who cannot see anything wrong in accepting a "tip" when the chance comes their way.

It is estimated that 300 people lose their lives every year in Britain through profits reaped by grafters. When tenders are invited for building and constructional work, for instance, the lowest 'tender is usually accepted. Sometimes tlTo tender is so low as to be only half that of the highest tender. The difference is often accounted for by the fact that inferior or inadequate plant is used, or there is no proper engineering supervision, which is very costly. A girder has to be hoisted by a crane. The girder falls killing or injuring several workmen because the crane is faulty and runs out of control. Previously the crano has been ' inspected by the municipal engineer, but', the engineer has received a "tip" of say £50, or the promise that his income tax would be paid for him.

A trench may have to be dug. Perhaps this should have boards two inches thick to prevent the walls from collapsing. Tho contractor finds that he can save a considerable amount of money by using boards one inch thick. He indicates that lie is quite willing to share this saving with the right person, namely, the inspection engineer. The latter passes the boards, the sides cave in, and workmen are seriously injured.

A few weeks ago the director of a power company was called in by the local council to lay additional cables above an underground cable already laid by another company. When they dug down they found the existing cable only a few feet from the surface. It carried 60,000 volts, and a man digging in his

garden with a spade might easily have struck it. Yet it had been passed by the municipal engineer. He was later found sto have received gifts of money from the power company.

The object of the new committee is to prevent the Bale of confidential information to contractors compiling tenders and arrangements will be made so that nobody will know the name of the firm. Special forms will be issued which must not be marked in any way, and any accompanying documents or letters will be numbered and placed in charge of one of the committee who will not know what tender the documents or letters refer to. Even then, the tenders will be retyped on another form by an inside staff and the original will be kept by another member of the committee. The committee thinks this method will do much to prevent the leakage of confidential information and at the same time prevent profiteering.