§ Mr. David Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the number of civil servants in the purchasing Departments of the three Services in 1956, 1966 and 1976, and the value of orders placed in terms of 1956 prices in respect of each of these years.
§ Mr. DuffyThere have been a number of major reorganisations affecting defence procurement in the period since 1956. The defunct Ministry of Supply, Ministry of Aviation, Ministry of Technology and Ministry of Aviation Supply were all involved before the creation of the Procurement Executive. It would, therefore, involve disproportionate expense and effort to provide this information.