§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what contracts Her Majesty's Government have with Lever Brothers for the supply of its products in Northern Ireland; and what is his estimate of the effect on his Department's budget of the price increases recently announced by the company.
§ Mr. StanleyNone of the major public sector organisations in Northern Ireland has direct contracts with Lever Brothers. Where Lever Brothers products are used they are purchased through local suppliers on a competitive tender basis. If, as a result of this recent price increase, Lever Brothers products cease to be competitive, alternatives are readily available and these will be purchased. I do not therefore expect the Lever Brothers decision to have any material effect on my Department's budget.