In addition, our responsibilities include oversight of agency budgetary matters, management issues, legislative proposals, regulations, procurement policies and other important matters.

WHITEHOUSE: Testimony of Director Portman

Look no further than the furore over the past week over the regulations governing procurement in the NHS for proof of how distracting change can be.

BBC: Why ministers are walking an NHS tightrope

In March, Health Minister Norman Lamb announced that the government had decided to amend the National Health Service (Procurement, Patient Choice and Competition) Regulations.

BBC: Doctors and nurses

The sanctions ban the companies from securing procurement contracts from US government agencies or obtaining new licences for the export of items controlled by export regulations.

BBC: China media: North Korea nuclear test