HC Deb 02 May 1977 vol 931 cc43-4W
Mr. Hoyle

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the policy of his Department in relation to the purchase of textiles for the Prisons Department.

Mr. John

The Prison Department follows normal Government practice for purchasing by competitive tender as recommended by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Industry on 23rd July 1975—[Vol. 896, c. 558–560].

Mr. Hoyle

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why is the basic cloth for the prison service blue and white stripe, being purchased from a converter since this involves its being printed in the United Kingdom, but spun and woven overseas.

Mr. John

The contract was for finished printed cloth and was awarded on a best value for money basis as a result of competitive tendering by United Kingdom firms.

Mr. Hoyle

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of yarn purchased by his Department is from overseas sources; what percentage of cloth is woven overseas; and which countries spin the yarn and weave the cloth.

Mr. John

In the year ended 31st March 1977 no yarn was purchased from overseas sources. Of the total quantity of material purchased 45 per cent. was woven overseas, mainly in Hong Kong and India, with small quantities from the Republic of Ireland, Yugoslavia and the United States of America.