§ Mr. Emeryasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many Government contracts have been placed in a development area as a matter of policy in the 141W years 1966, 1967 and 1968; and how many were placed with firms in these areas as a result of special procedures being adopted by the purchasing department.
§ Mr. William RodgersIt is Government policy, when tenders are invited and contracts are placed, to give preference whenever possible to firms in development areas. It is also Government policy to steer sub-contracts to Development Area firms whenever possible. The approximate numbers and value of main contracts—excluding construction contracts—let by all Government Departments in the development areas, in the years 1966–69 are as follows:
Number* Value £m. 1966–67 … … 10,000 136.4 1967–68 … … 11,400 117.3 1968–69 … … 9,900 117.3 * Excluding General Post Office numbers—not available. It would require disproportionate effort to distinguish contracts resulting from special procedures adopted by Departments.