HC Deb 11 March 1963 vol 673 cc956-7
25. Mr. Lawson

asked the Minister of Health what proportion of National Health Service expenditure on the purchase of X-ray and other electro-medical equipment in each of the past three years was spent on equipment manufactured overseas, in Scotland, and within a radius of 100 miles from the centre of London, respectively.

Mr. Braine

I regret this information is not available.

Mr. Lawson

In view of the fact that £3 million or £4 million per annum are spent on this equipment, and since various Government spokesmen have repeatedly stated that it is their view that Government spending should be used to help unemployment in various areas, will the Parliamentary Secretary see whether he can get this information and do something to ensure that expenditure is more evenly spread throughout the country?

Mr. Braine

Hospitals buy their electro-medical equipment under local arrangements and, therefore, no central record is kept. X-ray equipment is almost entirely supplied under central contracts, and records show only the location of the main manufacturing centres. Manufacturers may acquire components or other equipment to fulfil their contracts. The point is that it is the hospital needs which have to be satisfied. Manufacturers of X-ray equipment are not producing identical products. What determines where a contract is placed is not the geographical location of the supplier or the social factor mentioned by the hon. Gentleman, but his capacity to meet the hospital's specific requirements.

Mr. Lawson

This is rather strange. If this information can be given regarding Scotland, why cannot it be given regarding the rest of the country?

Mr. Braine

I could give a rough approximation, but I really do not think that that would help. What matters is not the geographical source of supply, but whether the equipment being ordered is that which the hospital requires. Some may come from Scotland, some from abroad, and some from England.