§ Mr. DevlinTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what value for money savings have been achieved by(a) the diplomatic wing and (b) the Overseas Development Administration in the last year; and how much of this was as a result of advice from the Central Unit on Purchasing.
§ Mr. SainsburyA table of value for money savings made in 1989–90 by the diplomatic wing of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has been presented to Parliament in the committee proceedings of the Foreign Affairs Committee. These savings include some made under the purchasing initiative.
Savings on the purchase of goods and services in 1989–90 were:
Diplomatic wing—£13.1 million on an expenditure of £146 millionODA—£8.48 million on an expenditure of £121 millionIt is not possible to attribute particular value for money savings to advice from the Central Unit on Purchasing. The role of the unit is to provide advice on best purchasing practice; it provides overall support and guidance and encourages value for money across all Departments.