§ Mr. Hicksasked the Minister of State for Defence 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. Ian GilmourAvailable figures are as follows:
Approximate Number of Contracts awarded in Development Areas Approximate Total Number of Ministry of Defence Contracts Percentage 1966–67 7,100 85,500 8.3 1967–68 8,000 83,100 9.6 1968–69 6,700 75,600 8.9 1969–70 8,500 72,100 11.8 1970–71 7,200 73,100 9.8 About 200 and 120 contracts respectively were placed in 1969–70 and 1970–71 under the Special Preference Scheme. Information on contracts offered but declined is not readily available.