§ Mr. Robin F. Cookasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why normal purchasing procedures were not observed by his Department in payments made to Ampersand Ltd. as reimbursement of expenses in connection with publications.
§ Mr. LuardMost publications are purchased through Her Majesty's Stationery Office but from time to time purchases are made under other arrangements.
§ Mr. Robin F. Cookasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why it has been the practice of his Department to reimburse Ampersand Ltd. for overhead expenses in years when very small quantities of publications were purchased by the Foreign Office.
§ Mr. Robin F. Cookasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the annual payments in the last five years from his Department (a) to Ampersand Limited for purchases from Bodley Head, (b) to Ampersand Limited for other expenses in connection with publications, and (c) to other suppliers of publications.
§ Mr. LuardBooks and publications are bought from a great many sources. The details requested could not be provided except at disproportionate expense.