HC Deb 28 March 1985 vol 76 cc331-2W
Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total value of business between local authorities and the Crown Suppliers in each of the accounting years since 1979.

Sir George Young

The total value of direct sales of business between local authorities and the Crown Suppliers in each of the accounting years since 1979 were as follows:

£
1979–80 233,096
1980–81 145,887
1981–82 69,820
1982–83 245,922
1983–84 147,952
1984–85* 538,621
* February.

The figures do not include the value of orders placed through the direct call-off contracts. In these cases the bills are paid by the authorities themselves.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what warehouse facilities in the London area are maintained by the Crown Suppliers.

Sir George Young

The Crown Suppliers occupy 9,708 sq m of storage accommodation at the India pavilion, Exhibition ground, Wembley. These facilities are used primarily for the disposal by public auction of furniture and equipment that is beyond economic repair, and for the storage of furniture and equipment used on ceremonial occasions. Storage and distribution of furniture and equipment for the use of the public sector organisations supplied by the Crown Suppliers in the London area is undertaken from its store at Milton, near Abingdon, Oxon.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if the Crown Suppliers are currently able to offer supplies of paper, educational stationery, art and craft materials, science equipment and chemicals, audio-visual equipment and food for school meals to the London boroughs.

Sir George Young

The Crown Suppliers do not currently offer supplies of paper, educational stationery, art and craft materials, audio visual equipment or food for school meals. All except the latter might be available under Government contracts arranged by HMSO. The Crown Suppliers do, however, supply some laboratory equipment, mainly benching and fume cupboards, and some chemicals which are mainly procured for cleaning purposes.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment which London boroughs avail themselves of the services offered by the Crown Suppliers.

Sir George Young

The following London boroughs have availed themselves of the services offered by the Crown Suppliers:

  • Southwark
  • Bromley
  • Lewisham
  • Enfield
  • Croydon
  • Harrow
  • Ealing
  • Hillingdon
  • Waltham Forest
  • Islington
  • Hammersmith/Fulham
  • Havering
  • Westminster City Council
  • Corporation of London
  • Walthamstow
  • Hounslow

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the value of business between the London boroughs and the Crown Suppliers in each of the accounting years since 1979–80.

Sir George Young

The value of business between the London boroughs and the Crown Suppliers in each of the accounting years since 1979–80 was as follows:

£
1979–80 91,200
1980–81 32,552
1981–82 17,337
1982–83 206,857
1983–84 111,689
1984–85* 460,014
*(Feburary).

The figures do not include the value of orders placed through the direct call-off contracts. In these cases the bills are paid by the authorities themselves.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what information his Department has of comparable product prices offered by the Crown Suppliers and the Greater London council supplies department.

Sir George Young

No direct comparison has been made between the prices offered by the Crown Suppliers and the GLC supplies department.

The Crown Suppliers prices are however continuously monitored and the results are published in its annual report and accounts which is available in the Library of the House.

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