§ Mr. DevlinTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the purchasing policy of his Department.
§ Mr. Kenneth BakerThe Department follows the Government's policy that purchasers should base all procurement of goods and services on value for money, including quality, or fitness for purpose and delivery against price. In accordance with that policy, goods and services are acquired by competition unless there are convincing reasons to the contrary. Under EC rules, and the GATT Government agreement (GPA) where appropriate, my Department is obliged to award relevant contracts in accordance with the prescribed procedures aimed at avoiding discrimination on the grounds of nationality.
§ Mr. DevlinTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what were the 10 worst purchases made by his Department in the month of October as measured against the Government's supply index;
(2) what were his Department's (a)best and (b)worst purchases made in the current month as compared with the Government's supply index.
§ Mr. Kenneth BakerInformation on my Department's best and worst purchases made in the current month as compared with the Governments supply index is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.