§ Sir W. Bromley-Davenportasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that imported foreign vitrified floor tiles were used in the construction of St. Mary's Maternity Hospital, Hathersage Road, Manchester, when British made tiles could have been supplied at a comparable price; and whether he will give directions to ensure the use of British materials for hospital construction wherever possible.
§ Mr. SnowThe floor tiles, which cover less than 5 per cent. of the total floor area of St. Mary's Maternity Hospital, Manchester, are Swedish imported non-slip carborundum tiles; no equivalent tile of British manufacture was available.
In accordance with general Government purchasing policy British materials are used in hospital construction whenever suitable quality is available at competitive prices.