§ Mr. Ernie Rossasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many oil companies have appealed against the Inland Revenue's market valuation of their North Sea oil for tax purposes; and whether they were successful.
§ Mr. Peter Rees[pursuant to his reply, 11 July 1980, c. 318]: Where oil valuations are not agreed before assessment 542W ensure that in every case where British goods are available these should be purchased by Government Departments in preference to foreign goods.
§ Sir Geoffrey HoweI do not believe that an indiscriminatory "Buy British" policy would be of general benefit to industry, nor would it serve our balance of payments strategy. It would also be contrary to our international obligations. Our policy is to use public purchasing more effectively to improve industry's competitiveness.