§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Trade what advice he gives to those nationalised industries for which he is responsible regarding the purchase of British equipment; and if he will indicate in each case the nature of the advice and the industry or authority to which it has been given.
§ Mr. TebbitThe nationalised industries for which I am responsible are British Airways and the British Airports Authority. It has always been the practice of both to give full and fair consideration to any British products which may be available to meet their particular requirements. The Civil Aviation Authority adopts the same policy. I have recently drawn the attention of the chairman of British Airways, the chairman of the British Airports Authority, and the deputy chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority specifically to the Government's initiative on public purchasing, which seeks a closer relationship between public sector purchasers and their suppliers. This was outlined to the National Economic Development Council on 2 July by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Industry, and a statement of the policy was placed in the Library of the House on 14 July 1980 in response to a written question from my hon. Friend the Member for Brigg and Scunthorpe (Mr. Brown).