§ 106. Mr. George Jegerasked the Minister of Transport what was the cost of buying 13 snow ploughs of foreign manufacture; and whether she will make a statement on the buying policy of her Department in view of the balance of payments.
§ Mr. Carmichael:Approximately £93,000.
There were no ploughs of British manufacture available which would meet the requirements. In these circumstances the purchase of equipment of foreign manufacture is unavoidable but in general, having regard to the balance of 406W payments situation, the closest consideration will be paid to the possibility of determining our requirements so as to enable the maximum use to be made of equipment of British manufacture.