HC Deb 12 March 1991 vol 187 cc487-8W
Mr. Devlin

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the full annual cost, including overheads, of his Department's purchasing activity.

Mr. Forth

On the latest information available the annual cost of the Department's purchasing activities including overheads is £2.14 million.

This information is taken from the report submitted to the Central Unit on Purchasing for the financial year 1989–90.

Mr. Devlin

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people in his Department are wholly or substantially involved in purchasing stores and distribution activities.

Mr. Forth

On the latest information available the Department has 111 people wholly involved full time in purchasing stores and distribution services.

Accurate figures for staff who are substantially involved in these activities are not available.

This information is taken from the report submitted to the central unit on purchasing for the financial year 1989–90.