§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will issue a circular to police authorities and chief constables of police encouraging them to purchase British equipment; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. SummerskillEach police authority has to decide what equipment will best meet the operational needs of its force and local considerations, including the cost falling on ratepayers. It is also necessary to have regard to international agreements on the avoidance of discrimination. None the less, as regards the purchase of vehicles, which form a significant part of the purchases of equipment, all police authorities and chief constables have already been told that we assume that they will wish to survey the market carefully before buying a foreign vehicle and satisfy themselves that no suitable British-made vehicle of comparable specification and price is available. They will no doubt wish to act similarly in relation to the purchase of other equipment.