§ Mr. ColvinTo ask the Prime Minister if she will make a statement on the purchasing progress report 1989 prepared by the central unit on purchasing.
§ The Prime MinisterThe central unit on purchasing's 1989 progress report recorded value for money improvements in central Government Departments' purchasing of over £350 million in 1988–89, excluding the Ministry of Defence. This saving was equivalent to 5.3 per cent. of total reported purchasing expenditure.
The purchasing initiative has now resulted in value for money improvements equivalent to some £850 million since 1985–86.
Although this represents good progress, greater emphasis now needs to be given to increasing professionalism amongst staff engaged in purchasing and supply, and to supporting them with compatible purchasing information and control systems. The central unit on purchasing is actively working with departments on these issues.
A copy of the progress report is in the Library of the House.