§ Mr. Hicksasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many contracts in each year since the introduction of the Government General Contracts Preference Scheme for Development Areas were awarded to firms located in development areas; what percentage this figure represents of the total issued by his Department; and on how many occasions the Special Preference Scheme has been implemented in each year.
§ Mr. AmeryThe information on main purchasing contracts let in the development areas in the years from 1966–67—before which no records are available—is as follows:
Year Number let in Development Areas Percentage of total number let 1966–67 978 11 1967–68 1,089 11 1968–69 868 10 1969–70 783 11 1970–71 708 10 No details are kept of contracts awarded under the Special Preference Scheme.