§ Mr. Bruce-Gardyneasked Secretary of State for Industry what percentage of funds allocated to BL in the last three years from public funds had been spent on the purchase of imported equipment.
§ Mr. Michael Marshall[pursuant to his reply, 19 May 1981]: BL pays its suppliers by drawing on funds from both the private sector and Government as well as on cash generated internally. BL says that nearly 95 per cent. of its total purchases are sourced in the United Kingdom and that, as a recent example, United Kingdom goods accounted for more than 80 per cent. of the cost of the Metro factory although some of its equipment was only available abroad.