Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

British Made Goods: Public Sector Contracts

Wednesday 19 May 2021 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • John Spellar inquired about discussions with the Welsh Government to encourage the purchase of British made goods through public sector contracts.
  • The Minister mentioned that the Queen's Speech announced legislation to increase procurement flexibility and reduce bureaucracy for British businesses.
  • John Spellar expressed concern over reports of Welsh councils buying green buses not from British manufacturers despite government spending on green industries.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 John Spellar Lab
Wales Business & Trade
Context

No specific event or statistic mentioned, but the question addresses cross-governmental cooperation on procurement policies to support domestic industry.

Question

What discussions he has had with the Welsh Government on encouraging the purchasing of British made goods through public sector contracts.

Answer from David Davies

Last week's Queen's Speech announced legislation on procurement that will increase flexibility for contracting authorities and reduce bureaucracy, which will simplify procurement in the public sector and help support British businesses. I very much hope that the Welsh Government will join us in further supporting Welsh companies.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific discussions with the Welsh Government on encouraging purchasing of British-made goods through public sector contracts were not detailed.

How: Hopes Expressed Without Concrete Actions

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Q2 John Spellar Lab
Transport Wales
Context

Recent reports indicate that some Welsh councils are purchasing electric buses from Chinese firms despite Government programmes to decarbonise transport spending billions on supporting green industries.

Question

The Minister will be aware that the Department for Transport is spending billions on its programme to decarbonise transport, but it does not seem so interested in building our green manufacturing capacity. Does he share my concern at recent reports of Welsh councils buying green buses not from British firms, but from China? Will he hold urgent discussions with councils, Government and the Transport Secretary in London to demand that taxpayer-funded green subsidies support British industry and British jobs?

Answer from David Davies

I am absolutely delighted that the right hon. Gentleman recognises that this Government are spending billions of pounds on supporting green industries; he is absolutely right. I do not know which specific councils he means, but I know that Newport City Council, a Labour council, recently bought some electric buses; I have no idea where from, but if he has a problem with how the council is conducting procurement, perhaps he would like to discuss it with some of his Labour colleagues. He will certainly know that we have to abide by the World Trade Organisation treaty agreement. I do not suppose that he is advising me to break our international treaty obligations, but if he is, I look forward to hearing more about it.

Not addressed: Questions regarding specific councils and procurement practices were largely deflected by focusing on the need for adherence to WTO agreements and questioning the questioner's intentions.

How: Redirecting Criticism Towards Labour, Questioning Motives

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