§ Mr. Easthamasked the Minister for the Civil Service if it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to ensure that Government Departments purchase computers made by British manufacturers wherever possible; and what is defined as a British manufacturer in this context.
§ Mr. ChannonThere has been no change in Her Majesty's Government's policy towards the purchase of computers for Government Departments. This was fully set out by my predecessor on 27 July 1977.—[Vol. 936, c. 227.] Neither in acquiring large computers by single tender from ICL nor in seeking to include a system manufactured in the United Kingdom among competitive tenders is it necessary to define a British manufacturer. This policy is under review 29W in the light of the EEC and GATT rules which will apply from next year.