HC Deb 10 November 1992 vol 213 cc694-5W
Mr. Nicholas Winterton

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total number of items and the value of the prison service uniforms for which contracts to purchase were placed in the last year for which figures are available; if he will give a breakdown of those figures according to whether the product was(a) made and finished in the United Kingdom from fabric produced in the United Kingdom, (b) finished in the United Kingdom from imported fabric and (c) finished in the United Kingdom but made abroad; if he will give similar information for other major clothing contracts for which he is responsible; and if he will make a statement of his purchasing policy in such matters.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

For the period 1 October 1991 to 30 September 1992, the latest year for which figures are available, the total number of items and the value of contracts to purchase Prison Service uniforms and of other major clothing contracts, where the information required is known, are shown in the table, in the form requested.

Her Majesty's Treasury is responsible for setting public purchasing policy. All Government procurement is based on value for money—that is, quality, fitness for purpose, and delivery against price. The European Community supplies directive requires member states to advertise major public contracts throughout the community. It also requires supplier and product selection to be based on objective criteria intended to prevent a bias towards national interests.

Uniform:

  1. (a) Products made and finished in the United Kingdom from fabric produced in the United Kingdom—16 items purchased to the value of approximately £1.4 million.
  2. (b) Products finished in the United Kingdom from imported fabric—13 items purchased to the value of approximately £860K.
  3. (c) Products finished in the United Kingdom but made abroad—Two items purchased to the value of approximately £172K.

Other major clothing contracts:

  1. (a) Products made and finished in the United Kingdom from fabric produced in the United Kingdom—Three items purchased to the value of approximately £47K.
  2. (b) Products finished in the United Kingdom from imported fabric—Two items purchased to the value of approximately £130K.
  3. (c) Products finished in the United Kingdom but made abroad—Three items purchased to the value of approximately £308K.