HC Deb 26 October 1966 vol 734 cc993-4
16. Mr. Allason

asked the Postmaster-General why the Post Office has ordered air compressors fitted with Japanese engines; and whether he will in future give preference to British equipment.

Mr. Joseph Slater

The purchase of these compressors followed competitive tendering by British firms all of which, of their accord, proposed to incorporate foreign engines. My right hon. Friend cannot reject all British equipment that includes foreign components.

Mr. Allason

Is this not rather a lame excuse? Would the hon. Gentleman look again at the procurement arrangements and ensure that British equipment and engines are used whenever possible rather than accept lamely the cheapest goods on the world market?

Mr. Slater

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman is not aware that there is no embargo on buying foreign goods and that when foreign components are included in goods supplied by British firms we do not usually find out. But in this case, where the working of the compressor depends on the efficiency of the engine, we had to be told what engine the firm intended to use and the fact that the engine is foreign was thus incidentally disclosed.