asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the development by public sector bodies of preferred suppliers schemes comparable with the priority suppliers scheme contained in Treasury guidelines to Exchequer Departments.
It is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to encourage local authorities and other public bodies to support and implement arrangements for giving preference towards purchasing goods and services from sheltered workshops and other priority suppliers along lines similar to those contained in the Treasury guidelines "Placing of Government Contracts with Non Profit Making Bodies" HQR 10.79.The elements of such arrangements are contained in the priority suppliers directory, published by the Manpower Services Commission. A copy is in the Library.