HC Deb 27 March 1972 vol 834 c10W
Mr. Hicks

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many contracts in each year since the introduction of the Government General Contracts Preference Scheme for Development Areas were awarded to firms located in development area; what percentage this figure represents of the total issued by his Department; and on how many occasions the Special Preference Scheme has been implemented in each year.

Mr. Anthony Grant

From its formation in October, 1970, until the end of February, 1972, the Department has placed a total of 3,878 contracts to the value of £2,608,216. Of these, 276, valued at £180,757, have been awarded to firms in the development areas and Northern Ireland. Without undue expenditure it is not possible to say which were placed under the provisions of the Contracts Preference Scheme; none has been placed under the Special Preference Scheme by the Department.