§ 34. Mr. Benceasked the Postmaster-General what steps he is taking to place contracts with manufacturers in Scotland for the supply of equipment to the Post Office.
§ Mr. MawbyMy right hon. Friend has recently enlisted the aid of the Scottish Council to ensure that all suitable firms in Scotland are included in Post Office lists of potential suppliers. He is also continuing to apply the arrangements under which tenders from firms in growth areas and development districts are given a measure of encouragement.
§ Mr. BenceWill the hon. Gentleman examine tenders which are made to the Post Office to see whether the goods may be supplied by firms having offices or departments established in certain parts of the country although the products they distribute are manufactured somewhere else? Will he look closely to see whether some of the products handled or supplied by some firms are actually manufactured in Scotland and not merely distributed in Scotland after being manufactured in the Midlands?
§ Mr. MawbyWe pay particular attention to this point in trying to ensure that, all other things being equal, a contract will go to a development district and will be performed in the development district rather than by a firm which produces the goods somewhere else.
§ Mr. Bourne-ArtonHas my hon. Friend similar satisfactory arrangements for keeping himself informed of the goods to be supplied from the north-east region, or does he consider that the goods made there are so well known for their quality that they do not require further advertising?
§ Mr. MawbyWe keep in close touch with all firms in the development districts and we are continually putting new firms on to our lists so that we know what they are able to tender for. We even go so far as to split an order if we find that we can give a contract to a development district in that way.