§ Mr. Christopher Priceasked the Secretary of State for Industry what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards awarding public purchasing contracts for steel to private steel manufacturers.
§ Mr. Butcher[pursuant to his reply, 24 May 1982, c. 232]: Government policy is that public procurement should be used wherever possible to improve industrial competitiveness in both the public and private sectors. Contracts are awarded on the basis of best value for money, as explained in the third report from the Committee of Public Accounts—Session 1981–82—and this is applicable to private steel manufacturers as to other suppliers.