Retentions campaign has mixed reactions

The campaign against retentions had a mixed week, receiving a shot in the arm and a slap in the face in swift succession.

While the House of Commons promised a select committee investigation into the practice, the Office of Fair Trading forced the Lift and Escalator Industry Association (LEIA) to retract its ban on members accepting contracts with retention clauses.

The Constructors' Liaison Group (CLG) was celebrating after being informed by the trade and industry select committee chairman Martin O'Neal that an inquiry would begin during the next parliamentary session.

CLG chief executive Rudi Klein described the move as "a massive step".

The committee is expected to invite interested parties to make submissions, possibly in July or September, and a half-day oral hearing may be held in November. Klein believes the committee's report could be handed to the government by Christmas.