§ Mr. Alan Clarkasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those bodies, not directly connected with his Department, that channelled their vehicle purchase orders through his Department in order to achieve higher discount rates, in the year ended April 1976.
§ Dr. GilbertUnder standing instructions all Government Departments acquire their official vehicles through the Ministry of Defence. In addition, during the financial year 1975–76, the Ministry, with an appropriate charge for departmental expenses, has purchased vehicles for other public bodies, as follows: Agricultural Research Council, Council for Small Industries, Civil Aviation Authority, Northern Ireland Health and Social Services, Natural Environment Research Council, The British Council, Crown Estate Commissioners, The Medical Research Council, University of London, University of York, University of Wales, National Savings Committee, Nature Conservancy Council, Forestry Commission, Wanadyke District Council, Warwickshire County Council, Wessex Water Authority, Yorkshire Water Authority.
By agreement with the Department of Health and Social Security, this Department also buys vehicles for individual hospital boards.