HC Deb 02 February 1967 vol 740 cc146-7W
35. Mr. Biffen

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what facilities exist in the Industrial Reorganisation Corporation to conduct studies to determine the importance of Government and public authority contracts, and to make recommendations for the use of public purchasing to promote industrial rationalisation and mergers.

37. Mr. Hordern

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he proposes that the Industrial Reorganisation Corporation should use the purchasing power of public departments and authorities to promote industrial rationalisation and mergers.

Mr. Harold Lever

These are matters for the Industrial Reorganisation Corporation itself to decide, but I understand that the Corporation has full facilities to conduct or commission studies of the kind suggested.

The Corporation will doubtless take into account in any proposals they make for the improvement of the structure of any industry the need to ensure that wherever possible public purchasing policy helps industrial rationalisation and efficiency.