§ Mr. Barry Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Wales what is his purchasing policy regarding the Welsh water authority; if he proposes to issue an instruction to the authority to discriminate in favour of Welsh firms which tender on a competitive basis; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsThe Welsh water authority's purchasing policy is a matter for it, but I understand that its select lists for tenders for projects of up to £300,000 value are compiled from firms local to the project. It also encourages all contractors to use local labour and, in general, is sympathetic to the interests of local firms in matters relating to purchasing and the letting of contracts.