§ Mr. DevlinTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what were his Department's(a) best and (b) worst purchases made in the current month as measured against the Government's supply index;
(2) what were the 10 worst purchases made by his Department in the month of October as measured against the Government's supply index.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe Scottish Office is not a member of the Government supply index.
§ Mr. DevlinTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the purchasing policy of his Department.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe Scottish Office complies with 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 procurement agreement (GPA) where appropriate, the Scottish Office is obliged to award relevant contracts in accordance with prescribed procedures aimed at avoiding discrimination on grounds of nationality. To help to ensure effective compliance with these policies, and in line with guidance from HM Treasury's Central Unit on Purchasing, the Scottish Office has established a central purchasing and supply unit.