§ Mr. Masonasked the Postmaster-General what success he has had in receiving tenders for Post Office equipment from companies outside the ring of manufacturers who have previously supplied most of the equipment under the bulk supply agreements.
§ Mr. BevinsThe value of orders placed in 1962–63 under the reservation clauses of the four bulk supply agreements then in force was £817,380.
§ Mr. Masonasked the Postmaster-General (1) whether companies within the bulk supply agreements will be allowed to tender for equipment through their subsidiaries who may be outside the agreement;
(2) if he is aware that some of the bulk supply agreement companies may tender through their subsidiaries who are not within the agreement, and that this may be done within his reservation clause procedure, which would prevent the widening of the list of Post Office suppliers and 112W would stop his department from obtaining supplies at the most competitive prices; and if he will make it known to all suppliers that this tendering practice will not be allowed.
§ Mr. BevinsIt has always been open to companies owning or owned by companies which are parties to the bulk supply agreements to tender under the reservation clauses. Provided such companies are substantially producing the items in question I see no harm in this.