§ Mr. John Leeasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the number of contracts for imported goods of all kinds and the combined value of these placed by Government Departments during 1967, and the estimated number and total value of all such contracts likely to be placed during 1968; and if he will make a statement on their composition.
§ Mr. TaverneAbout 3,000 contracts, to a total value of approximately £184 million, were let by Government Departments during 1966–67. They may be analysed by value as follows:—
£ million Aircraft, guided weapons and associated equipment 83.4 Purchases in aid of the Polaris programme 6.7 Other major defence purchases 18.8 Other defence purchases 2.3 Medical equipment 1.2 Computers 0.7 Part-manufactured items for processing and re-export 0.7 Oil (inclusive of duty and United Kingdom processing) 60.0 Miscellaneous, about 10.0 183.8 Estimated figures for 1968–69 are not available.