§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of(a) the furniture and (b) office equipment and computers purchased by his Department since 1979 was made in the United Kingdom; and what is his Department's policy towards purchasing foreign goods where a British supplier is available.
§ Mr. Leigh[holding answer 18 February 1991]: Details of the British-made proportion of DTI purchases since 1979 in the categories listed are not maintained centrally.
The Government's policy is that Departments 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 where appropriate, my Department is obliged to award relevant contracts in accordance with prescribed procedures aimed at avoiding discrimination on grounds of nationality.