§ Mr. John Leeasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the total number of contracts placed for imported goods during the financial year 1968–69; how many of these contracts were placed by Government Departments; and what was their value and composition.
§ Mr. TaverneContracts let generally for imported goods are not separately recorded. The estimated total value of actual imports in 1968–69 was £7,964 million. Contracts for direct imports to an estimated value of £33.5 million were let during the year by major Government purchasing Departments. This figure excludes purchases of goods like oil imported other than directly for Government purposes. An analysis by value and composition would involve disproportionate expense.