To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (I) why his Department has awarded its new Buckinham Palace road offices' furniture contract to a manufacturer outside the United Kingdom;(2) what are his criteria for the awarding of office furniture contracts within his Department.

My Department is concerned to buy goods and services which meet its specifications at the best price. In view of our treaty commitments to the EC and GATT, the country of origin could not be of primary concern in the assessment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the present economic situation in the office furniture manufacturing and supply industry.

In recent years the office furniture manufacturing industry has expanded strongly. The performance of the industry in future will be influenced both by developments in the economy generally and by the extent to which it meets the needs of its customers.