§ Mr. Norman Lamontasked the Secretary of State for Industry, in view of his answer to the hon. Member for Kingston-upon-Thames on 26th November that nationalised industries have been asked to follow a similar policy to that of central Government when purchasing large computer systems, whether nationalised industries remain free to purchase the computer system most suitable for their needs, whatever its country of origin, unless a directive is issued to the contrary.
§ Mr. MeacherNationalised industries have since 1971 been asked to follow, in their computer purchases, a similar policy to that of central Government. This provides that large computers, defined as I Atlas power or greater, are purchased from ICL subject to satisfactory price, performance and delivery.