§ Mr. Craigenasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what Her Majesty's Government are doing to encourage companies, in both private and public sectors to use their purchasing power to buy goods produced in the United Kingdom and at the same time assist the export potential through the achievement of a greater customer base.
§ Mr. Butcher[pursuant to his reply, 8 May 1987]: The Government encourage purchasers in the public and private sectors to recognise that in seeking best value for money they should use their commercial power to enhance the ability of suppliers to compete in home and overseas markets. In the field of public procurement, the Government have issued guidance which sets out best purchasing practices and my Department is promoting this with public bodies under the public purchasing initiative. We welcome and support efforts by private sector organisations such as Industry Matters, Better Made in Britain and the Think British campaign to highlight the benefits to purchasers of having a strong supplier base close at hand and the action they can take to achieve this. In addition, my Department offers a wide range of practical help to companies wishing to improve their productive efficiency and the quality, design and marketing of their goods.