§ Mr. Cyril Smithasked the Secretary of State for Trade what percentage of Government orders for goods made from textiles are placed in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. FreesonI have been asked to reply.
All orders by the Property Services Agency for goods made from textiles are placed in the United Kingdom. The percentage of finished goods and semifinished materials known to be imported is approximately 3.76 per cent. The Ministry of Defence, including the Procurement Executive, obtains almost 99
448WNoteChanges based on:
- (1) NCB average pithead realisation for domestic bituminous coals.
- (2) Ex works price (f.o.r.) for domestic coke.
- (3) NCB average pithead realisation for naturally smokeless coals for domestic market.
- (4) Typical delivered price of heavy fuel oil for industrial use.
- (5) Retail prices of premium grade burning oil (Inner Zone)—purchases of small quantities.
- (6) Retail Price Index data for October 1970 and October 1974.
Applications for future price increases formulated by the industries concerned will be considered by the Government and Price Commission, as appropriate. It is impossible for me to give any estimates of what any future price increases may be.