HC Deb 18 July 1969 vol 787 cc221-2W
Mr. Marples

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what costing and accounting support is provided to the Contracts Directorate in his Department; and whether this is organised as an integral part of the Contracts Directorate or as a separate supporting activity.

Mr. Crossman

A costing and accounting service is provided for my Department, as a separate supporting activity, by Departments employing professional accountants and technical costs officers.

Mr. Crossman

There is no division but the senior and more experienced staff normally deal with negotiated procurement.

Mr. Marples

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the establishment, by numbers of staff in each grade, of each directorate or section concerned with procurement; and what has been its average strength in each of the past three years.

Mr. Crossman

Staff concerned with procurement for varying proportions of their time are in five branches of Supply Division, headed by the Under-Secretary and Controller of Supply. Their numbers, by grades, in these branches are as follows: