§ 13. Mr. Mappasked the Minister of Health whether he will require hospital boards to obtain quotations for home-produced textiles before contracts for such materials are agreed.
§ Mr. MappWhy not, when the Ministry of Defence last week was able to show that 90 per cent. of its purchases of textiles were of home-produced goods? What is in the way of the Minister advising regional hospital boards to obtain two such quotations? Is there no direction that one of the two must be taken?
§ Mr. SnowOh, no. What I was attempting to show was that under existing treaty commitments, for instance, E.F.T.A. countries are entitled to compete for hospital business on an equal footing with home producers. Under the Commonwealth Trade and Economic Conference Agreement of 1958, public purchasing authorities are expected to seek to inform themselves of the possibilities of competitive purchasing from Commonwealth sources. It is a matter for discretion by the board concerned. Sometimes a board may find it quicker and cheaper to purchase from abroad but these cases are relatively rare.
§ Sir Knox CunninghamWill the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that linen from Ulster is both durable and attractive? Will he do his best to see that it is purchased?
§ Sir D. GloverThe Parliamentary Secretary's reply is thoroughly unsatisfactory. Could he find how many exports from this country go into hospital services of E.F.T.A. countries, if he thinks that we should have this open and free competition, because we are not getting nearly enough advantage at present?
§ Mr. SnowWith notice I shall certainly try to give that information, but this was an E.F.T.A. agreement.
§ Mr. MappOn a point of order. In view of the very unsatisfactory nature of 1027 the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter at the earliest possible opportunity on the Adjournment.