asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what account his Department takes in awarding contracts for the supply of equipment of the export potential of competing products; and if he will make a statement.

In awarding contracts for the supply of equipment, the prime factors taken into account by the Department are the suitability of the equipment concerned for the task in hand and value for money. A number of subsidiary factors are also taken into account; these include export potential and other considerations arising from the Government's guidelines on public purchasing.