§ Mr. Hicksasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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 areas; 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 StodartIn the main the Ministry's central purchases are obtained through contracts placed by the Ministry of Defence. Records are not kept of other contracts, but the Ministry's departmental instructions require the observance of the General and Special Preference Contract Schemes for them. It would require disproportionate effort to ascertain the total number placed, to distinguish the number awarded to firms located in development areas, and to distinguish contracts awarded under the Special Preference Scheme.