§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will take steps to make the purchase of supplies for the public service from suppliers in the Irish Republic in instances where the same goods are available less expensively in Northern Ireland a matter for which chief executives in the public service may be surcharged.
§ Mr. CopeThe Government have continually promoted the need for good purchasing practice, fair competition and value for money in the public sector in Northern Ireland. If the hon. Member wishes to give me details of the instances where such practices as he described have occurred, I will consider passing them to the appropriate audit authorities.