§ 57. Mr. Masonasked the Postmaster-General if his attention has been drawn to the Public Accounts Committee's criticisms on the method of tendering for contracts; what consideration he has given to changing the policy of his Department to allow all firms to compete for contracts for telecommunication and other equipment so that orders can be won on the basis of price, quality and maintenance of time schedules; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. BevinsYes. The Post Office has always let a substantial volume of contracts competitively and will continue to do so increasingly. As regards extending the scope for competition within the field hitherto covered by bulk supply agreements, I would refer the hon. Member to my statement in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Dover (Mr. Arbuthnot) on 24th July last.