§ Mr. Pawseyasked the Lord Privy Seal, in respect of his Department's overseas aid functions, in what proportion of public purchasing contracts, and of what value, were (i) British suppliers and (ii) other EEC suppliers successful during the last year for which figures are available.
§ Mr. Neil MartenThe only purchasing contracts under our bilateral aid programme that are open to other EEC suppliers are those for food aid. Twelve such contracts totalling £9,187,000 were awarded in 1980; six of them, worth £1,614,000, went to a British company; the other six went to French firms. Most of the rest of our bilateral aid is tied to procurement from British firms. The £317 million that was spent bilaterally on procurement of goods in 1980 was divided as follows:
£ million Per cent. Fully tied to British firms 265 83.7 Partly tied: i.e. available for procurement either in Britain or in the recipient or other specified developing country 11 3.6 Local costs 41 12.7 Total 317 100.0