§ Mr. Nobleasked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) if, in the light of the Government decision to buy British textiles, he will instruct his Department that all purchases of tyres must he exclusively of those makes which include British tyre cord;
(2) if, in the light of the Government decision to buy British textiles, he will instruct his Department to purchase only tyres which include British-made tyre cord;
(3) how much was spent by his Department in purchasing tyres in 1974, 1975 and 1976.
§ Mr. CryerFor the Government's policy on procurement of textile products I would draw my hon. Friend's attention to the statement my right hon. 941W Friend made in the House on 23rd July 1975. The Department of Industry does not itself purchase tyres on any significant scale. Normally the Department's vehicles are serviced at Property Services Agency or Ministry of Defence workshops, which replace worn tyres as and when necessary. A limited number of tyres are supplied by local garages in the course of routine vehicle servicing, but I am not aware of any practical means of establishing the origin of the tyre cord in tyres bought in this way. No separate central record of tyre purchases is maintained by this Department.