§ Mr. Tebbitasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent it is his policy to encourage discrimination in public sector purchasing policy (a) in favour of products manufactured in Great Britain and against those imported, (b) in favour of products manufactured in Great Britain by British-owned firms and 108W against those manufactured in Great Britain by foreign-owned firms, (c) in favour of products manufactured in Great Britain by firms which have entered into planning agreements and against those which are manufactured in Great Britain by firms which have not, (d) in favour of products manufactured in Great Britain by firms in which NEB has a holding or stake against those in which it does not and (e) in favour of products manufactured in Great Britain by nationalised industries and against those of firms which are not nationalised; and if he will make a statement upon this matter.
§ Mr. Joel BarnettThe primary objective of Government purchasing is to obtain what is needed, at the right time and in such a way as to secure the best value for money spent, while at the same time having regard to the desirability of providing positive encouragement to British industry to make itself efficient and competitive both at home and in markets overseas.