§ Mr. Chopeasked the Secretary of State for the Environment which of the services of the Property Services Agency supplies department are available to local authorities; how much use each local authority makes of them; and whether he will further promote the availability of these services as a substitute for those provided by the Greater London council and the metropolitan counties.
§ Sir George YoungThe full range of goods and services provided by the Crown Suppliers — formerly PSA Supplies — are available to all local authorities, which are welcome to use them if they find them attractive.
In the year ending 31 March 1983, about 60 local authorities made use of the PSA Supplies contracts. The total value of these purchases in that year was £42.37 million, of which the greater proportion was of heating fuel and motor spirit, but some authorities also bought domestic and office furniture, domestic and cleaning equipment, electrical and mechanical engineering equipment and building materials.
I am encouraging the Crown Suppliers to promote the use of its services throughout the public sector.