§ Mr. DevlinTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement about the purchasing policy of his Department.
§ Mr. WakehamMy Department follows the Government's policy to base all procurement of goods and services on value for money, taking into account quality (or fitness for purpose) and delivery. Goods and services are acquired by competition unless there are convincing reasons to the contrary. My Department also observes EC and GATT requirements for Government purchasing where appropriate and encourages small firms to compete for its business.
§ Mr. DevlinTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what were the 10 worst purchases made by his Department in the month of October as measured against the Government's supply index;
176W(2) what were his Department's (a) best and (b) worst purchases made in the current month as measured against the Government's supply index.
§ Mr. WakehamThis information is not available because my Department does not currently subscribe to the Government supply index (GSI). It spends only a comparatively small amount on items covered by the index so that membership would not represent good value for money.