§ Mr. DevlinTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about his Department's decision not to participate in the Government supply index.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe Scottish Office has monitored the development of this commercially produced information system, which is based on the exchange of information on prices paid by Government Departments and others for a range of specified products. Having regard to the range of items covered and the particular nature of322W Scottish Office purchasing, it concluded that subscription to the index was not a priority. The Scottish Office is however currently exploring the introduction of improved management information and operating systems for purchasing. As part of this, consideration will be given to the use of price indices, of which the Government supply index is one option.