§ Mr. Langford-Holtasked the Postmaster-General whether, in order to assist the export trade in telephone equipment, he will now abandon the present method of ring purchasing by his Department.
§ Mr. BevinsNo. In my view, the existence of the Post Office bulk purchase agreements with certain firms has fostered technical progress and assisted the export trade in telecommunications equipment. Moreover, these arrangements provide that the Post Office can at any time enter into a contract with any person for the manufacture and supply of telecommunications equipment if in my opinion this would advance the interests of exports.