HC Deb 06 April 1981 vol 2 cc674-5
9. Mr. Gwilym Roberts

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will take further steps to encourage British industry to buy British when purchasing manufactured components, capital equipment and raw materials whenever possible; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Kenneth Baker

The Government hope that both the public and private sectors will seek to improve the competitiveness of their United Kingdom suppliers. But purchasers should not "buy British" regardless. Suppliers must produce what is required at the right time, at the right price and to the right standard.

Mr. Roberts

Does the Minister accept that our public sector purchasing policies are a shambles compared with those of most of our industrial competitors? In view of the evidence with which I supplied him recently about the way that British Leyland knocked Lucas about over headlamp purchases, will he now consider the purchasing policy of British Leyland?

Mr. Baker

I am aware of the correspondence that the hon. Gentleman has had with my Department. I have been told that BL buys 95 per cent. of its components from British sources. That is a high percentage for any company. I completely refute his allegation that public purchasing by public corporations and Government Departments is a shambles. We have initiated a new drive in Government Departments and nationalised industries to get suppliers and customers to work more closely together. That is the most effective way to improve the Government's purchasing policies.

Mr. Emery

Will my hon. Friend consider that both in the private and the public sectors there is no point in buying British unless what is bought is of proper quality? Should we not encourage all buyers in all industries to "TBBB"—"think British before buying"? Is not that the best approach to getting the best buy?

Mr. Baker

My hon. Friend is correct. Last week the Debenhams group announced that it is following that policy and is advertising it. That is the best way to achieve the results we all want.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

Will the Minister appeal to hon. Members and to everyone in the Palace of Westminster to buy British rather than foreign cars to help the taxpayers? Is he aware that the joint leader of the so-called Social Democratic Party, the doctor who is not present and who claims to be a great Common Market supporter—the only part of his policy that anyone knows anything about—has bought a Volvo, which is the only car in Europe not made in the Common Market?

Mr. Baker

Each hon. Member must decide for himself what he buys. My wife has bought a Metro, so we have put the rather slender resources of the Baker family where the Government's mouth is.

Mr. Squire

Will my hon. Friend ensure that the resources of his Department are brought to bear on the purchasing policy of other Departments? Many Departments, including the Ministry of Defence, as I know from constituency experience, often buy abroad when eqivalent and appropriate materials are available in this country. They do us a disservice and we should stamp on them.

Mr. Baker

I am grateful for my hon. Friend's encouragement. In the next three or four months I shall be seeing Ministers in the main purchasing Departments to deal with that problem.