§ Mr. Ernest G. Perryasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what percentage of medical equipment that her Department purchases is made in Great Britain.
§ Mr. MeacherIn 1974–75, purchase of medical equipment by my Department amounted to approximately £39 million of which about £33½ million, or 86 per cent., was produced in Great Britain. Figures of purchases by health authorities in the same period are not readily available but I have no reason to believe that the proportion of home-produced equipment would be significantly less.
§ Mr. Ernest G. Perryasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether she has any evidence that orders placed by her Department for medical equipment are made abroad but assembled in Great Britain.
§ Mr. MeacherPrecise figures are not available but I estimate that of the £33½ million spent by my Department in 1974–75 on purchases of medical equipment from suppliers in this country less than 3 per cent. were assembled wholly from imported components.