15. Mrs. Butlerasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the practice of his Department in placing orders towards the end of the financial year with manufacturers of X-ray apparatus for completion prior to 31st March causes delays in the normal flow and prompt execution of export orders by private firms; and if he will ensure that such orders are in future placed by his Department earlier in the financial year.
§ Mr. TurtonThe greater part of the apparatus of which delivery is required during the financial year is ordered before the year commences. Some late orders are necessary but they should not interfere with exports.
Mrs. ButlerIs the Minister aware that the late orders not only cause considerable delay to firms engaged in the export trade but add considerably to the cost to the taxpayer? When will the right hon. Gentleman investigate this matter, so that late orders are not placed when there is a means of placing them earlier in the year? It takes place every year.
Mr. TortonI have looked into this question, because the hon. Lady wrote to me in April. I am satisfied that the great bulk of the orders are placed well before the beginning of the financial year. There is no evidence of any harmful effect on exports. I am glad to say that the exports in the first quarter of this year were far higher, being more than 20 per cent. above the exports in the corresponding quarters of the two previous years.