asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of the £246·6 million spent in 1973–74 on the hospital service in Scotland was spent on goods produced in Scotland; and what proportion of the £34·7 million spent in 1973–74 on consumable goods for the hospital service in Scotland was spent on goods produced in Scotland.

It is not possible to say how much of the £34·7 million for consumables was spent on goods produced in Scotland. Virtually all the rest of the £246·6 million, some 85 per cent., was spent on services which were provided locally.