HC Deb 29 June 1954 vol 529 c1094
31. Lady Tweedsmuir

asked the President of the Board of Trade what new contracts he proposes to place with the Aberdeen Blind Asylum at an early date.

Mr. H. Strauss

None, Sir. The Board of Trade is not a purchasing Department.

Lady Tweedsmuir

In view of the expressed desire of the President of the Board of Trade to attract industry and employment to the North-East of Scotland and the fact that the institution has relied on Government contracts for a very long time, cannot the Department use its influence in the right places to ensure that further contracts are placed at an early date?

Mr. Strauss

I think my hon. Friend is putting her Question to the wrong Department. There are about eight Government Departments which order goods, but the Board of Trade is not one of them.