§ Mr. Marplesasked the Secretary of State for Defence, following the recommendations in the report on the procurement methods in use at Marks and Spencer Limited, what products have been purchased by his Department on an experimental basis and what are the departures from the conventions of competition and formal contracting involved; and in the absence of a formal contract what form of agreement is being entered into with the selected suppliers.
508W
Sic No. Description 1964–5 £000 1965–6 £000 1966–7 £000 1967–8 £000 1968–9 £000 III Food, Drink and Tobacco … 9,225 5,881 2,531 2,952 3,549 IV Chemicals and Allied … 75,750 62,383 59,228 59,546 58,444 V Metal Manufacturing … 8,584 10,457 8,371 8,726 9,995 VI Engineering and Electrical Goods … 71,376 97,573 111,285 100,953 109,952 VII Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering 46,530 38,994 78,438 46,854 44,801 VIII Vehicles … 49,335 58,580 49,329 72,740 42,795 IX Metal Goods … 7,210 5,934 7,749 6,359 4,865 X Textiles … 13,440 9,717 9,448 6,316 6,331 XI Leather Goods … 61 49 38 55 44 XII Clothing and Footwear … 9,058 7,883 8,175 5,704 5,553 XIII Pottery, Glass, etc. … 567 586 364 365 496 XIV Timber, Furniture … 2,032 1,290 1,110 1,280 1,538 XV Paper and Printing … 2,045 3,157 2,781 2,184 2,094 XVI Other Manufactures … 2,442 2,087 2,070 2,358 1,502 XVII Construction … — — 206 140 100 XVIII Gas, Water, Electricity … 5,000 5,100 5,301 13,000 14,500 XIX Transport/Communication … 9,020 12,098 11,929 6,955 2,009 XX Distributive Trades … 1,715 3,112 11,853 12,517 9,893 XXII Professional Services … 72 266 1,295 1,224 1,522 XXIII Miscellaneous Services … 2,511 2,205 2,459 4,033 7,851 Total … 315,973 327,352 373,961 354,261 327,834
§ Mr. John MorrisNo purchases have yet been made by the Ministry of Defence through the procurement methods in use at Marks and Spencer Limited. Plans are, however, well advanced to enter into appropriate arrangements of an experimental nature with selected suppliers of suitable items of food and clothing. Subject to the negotiation of reasonable prices, and to satisfactory delivery and performance, successive orders will be placed with the selected suppliers during the trial period.
2. The arrangements aim at improving efficiency and economy and will be operated with the minimum of formality and paper work. Although the usual detailed type of contract will not be used, the essential features of the relationships will be covered by correspondence.