HC Deb 17 December 1979 vol 976 cc57-8W
51. Mr. Mellor

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to extend competition in Government procurement policies.

Mr. Lawson

Where possible, Departments place contracts on the basis of competitive tendering. The number of companies invited to tend for individual contracts is usually restricted in order to keep down administrative costs to both Government and industry. The preference currently given by the Government to International Computers Ltd. for procurement of large computers will cease at the end of 1980 when new international obligations take effect.