Dr. James Browne:

I tried to explain the reason earlier. If there are hundreds or maybe 1,000 budget holders, it is very difficult to assess every single procurement and make sure the rules were followed. We issue the guidelines, we follow them and our procurement office follows them in so far as it possibly can but it is very difficult to ensure that every single procurement is compliant. An individual academic might buy a piece of research equipment. It is difficult to be certain that he or she has followed the rules exactly. We have done all that we can with training and having people who understand it in the main organisations and to support people. It is very difficult to ensure absolute compliance. It is the reality of a decentralised, democratic, flat-structured organisation.