HC Deb 01 December 1982 vol 33 cc262-3
54. Mr. Farr

asked the Minister for the Civil Service to what extent British equipment is being used for the modernisation of Civil Service office systems.

The Minister of State, Treasury (Mr. Barney Hayhoe)

British equipment is being used as widely as possible, given the need to ensure technical efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency placed contracts for the supply of computer and computer-related equipment totalling £160 million in the three calendar years 1979 to 1981, of which about 76 per cent. was of British manufacture.

Mr. Farr

Will my hon. Friend assure me that he is maintaining close liaison with his hon. Friend the Minister for Industry and Information Technology about the Civil Service office of the future? Will he also reassure us that he bears in mind that it is imperative that everyone is aware that when foreign machines are purchased British jobs are lost?

Mr. Hayhoe

I give my hon. Friend an absolute assurance on both points.

Mr. Cryer

Can the Minister give us an absolute assurance that when senior civil servants involved in equipment purchasing retire they do not join firms with which they have negotiated?

Mr. Hayhoe

There are well-established procedures for people retiring from the public service, setting out the jobs that they are permitted to take, and the procedures will be fully followed.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

In considering the modernisation of Civil Service office systems, will my hon. Friend give due weight to the need to disperse as many civil servants as possible to the regions and consider with sympathy and urgency the need for the Patent Office to be located in Manchester, which is an ideal location for the new office within the EC?

Mr. Hayhoe

I believe that that supplementary question relates to a later question.

Mr. Winterton

My hon. Friend avoids answering the question.

Later—

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I seek your advice and assistance. In response to my supplementary question my hon. Friend referred to a later question on the Order Paper. That question was not reached. I seek your advice and assistance in putting what I describe as a bona fide question. Should not my hon. Friend have responded to the question instead of seeking to hide behind what was clearly not another question on the Order Paper in his endeavour to avoid giving an answer?

Mr. Speaker

Order. I never attribute motives to Ministers. I always assume the best. In any case, it is not my responsibility.