§ Mr. Chichester-Clarkasked the Postmaster-General what steps he has taken to ensure that increased orders for Post Office equipment are placed in areas of high unemployment.
§ Mr. Joseph SlaterMy Contracts Department has taken great care, when inviting tenders, to ensure that all suitable firms in development districts have been given the opportunity to tender, and we have applied the arrangements under which tenders from firms in these areas of high unemployment receive special consideration. These measures will continue and I hope that firms in development districts will take increasing advantage of them.
§ Mr. Chichester-Clarkasked the Postmaster-General what is the value of contracts for which tenders now outstanding have been invited for Post Office equipment; and what further invitations to tender will be issued in the next nine months.
§ Mr. Joseph SlaterSome £7½ million. In the next nine months tenders are likely to be invited for a wide range of Post Office requirements worth roughly £50 million.