§ Mr. Gouldasked the Prime Minister if she will make a statement on the co-ordination between the Department of Trade and Industry and other Departments of Her Majesty's Government's procurement policy in so far as it has implications for the future growth of the United Kingdom computer industry.
§ The Prime MinisterDepartments are responsible for their own purchasing decisions, but the Department of Trade and Industry offers guidance, within the framework of the public purchasing initiative, on the Government's procurement policy. This aims to ensure that Departments use the influence of their purchases to help develop the design, technology and competitiveness of their suppliers.
The United Kingdom computer industry has benefited from this policy and I am confident its growth will continue.