The Committee noted that information was required on the Preferential Procurement Policy and that there was a need to interrogate the procurement and tender policies. In the Committee's opinion, the procurement policy was not considered to be aligned with BBBEE policies, which was causing problems, at especially local government levels. The Department responded that BEE should be stimulated by the State in terms of procurement and licensing, which has not occurred. In terms of the transparency of tender and procurement policies, the Department indicated that the rigorous audit processes that it endures annually has confirmed that transparency exists in this respect. The Department also indicated that it would be willing to share information on the alignment of the BBBEE and Preferential Procurement policies with the Committee. The Committee indicated that it would initiate its own review of the BBBEE process and its alignment with the Preferential Procurement Policy.