§ Mr. William PowellTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of savings achieved by the central unit on purchasing in each year since 1986.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardThe central unit on purchasing is an advisory unit responsible for encouraging best procurement practice in central Government Departments. It, therefore, has no executive purchasing responsibilities. However, since the formation of CUP and the start of the Government purchasing initiative in 1986, Departments collectively have achieved savings in excess of £1.3 billion. Detailed figures on departmental savings are set out in CU P's annual reports to the Prime Minister, copies of which are available in the Library.