§ Mr. Marplesasked the Postmaster-General 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.
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§ Mr. Marplesasked the Postmaster-General to what extent the same organisation and staff of his Department is required to handle negotiated procurement and competitive tendering; and what proportion of staff is allocated to each.
§ Mr. StonehouseThe purchasing staff is organised broadly on a product basis, and individual officers handle both negotiated and competitive cases. The supporting accountancy and technical cost staff are mainly concerned with negotiated procurement. Excluding exchange equipment, for which the Bulk Supply Agreement expires on 30th September next, about 87 per cent. by value of the procurement is competitive.
§ Mr. Marplesasked the Postmaster-General 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. StonehouseThe establishments of the Divisions comprising the Purchasing and Supply Department are currently:
§ Mr. Stonehouse34 technical cost and 29 accountancy staff are an integral part of the Contracts Division under the Controller of Contracts.