§ Mr. HANNONasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the expenditure incurred by his Department on surgical instruments and appliances during the last financial year, or the latest year for which such information is available, and how much of this expenditure is in respect of purchases of foreign instruments; and whether he is prepared to give instructions that British-made instruments are to be purchased whenever they can be obtained in this country at a competitive price and of a comparable quality?
§ Mr. MONTAGUEDuring the year ended 30th June last the amount expended by the Air Ministry on surgical instruments and appliances was £1,410, of which £96 was in respect of foreign-made articles. It is already the policy of the Department to purchase British-made instruments whenever they are of suitable quality and can be obtained at a competitive price.