HC Deb 07 December 1977 vol 940 cc743-4W
Mr. Noble

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, if, in the light of the Government decision to buy British textiles, he will instruct his Department to purchase only tyres containing British-made tyre cord.

Mr. Deakins

The contractual arrangements to meet my Department's requirements for tyres for invalid road vehicles are generally made by the Ministry of Defence. So far as inflatable wheelchair tyres are concerned, unfortunately virtually all of my Department's requirements have to be imported because British manufacturers no longer produce the sizes required. Our needs for these tyres are relatively so small that it would be impracticable to make the stipulation suggested by my hon. Friend.