HC Deb 05 February 1975 vol 885 cc569-70W
Mr. Hoyle

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is the total value of textile goods purchased by her Department during the past 12 months;

(2) what percentage of textile goods over the last 12 months has been purchased from British manufacturers by her Department.

Dr. Owen

No textile goods are purchased by my Department. Those used in the National Health Service are purchased by health authorities, and information about the value and source of supply of these purchases is not readily available.

Mr. Hoyle

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will instruct her Department to purchase all future textile requirements from British manufacturers.

Dr. Owen

No. The general policy for public purchasing adopted by successive Governments requires the National Health Service to secure the best value for money spent while obtaining what is needed.