§ Mr. Macmillanasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he is satisfied with the level of public procurement contracts being won by British companies either directly or through wholly-owned subsidiaries, in other member States of the European Community following the Community's directive and the general agreement on tariffs and trade agreement in this field.
§ Mr. ButcherInformation on the level of public procurement contracts in other member States of the European Community won by such companies is not available. British firms are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunities afforded by these agreements, and information on public procurement contracts is available to them through the export intelligence service. The Government have also supported schemes to make information on such contracts more easily available through various computerised information systems. The Government would of course welcome greater success by British companies in winning export business of all kinds in other member States.
§ Mr. Macmillanasked the Secretary of State for Industry whether the share of public procurement contracts being won by British companies, either directly or through wholly-owned subsidiaries, in other member States of the European Economic Community exceeds 1 per cent. in any member State; and, if so, which.
§ Mr. ButcherI regret that this information is not available.