Records of Supplies Division

Division within WORK

1920-1990

Records concerning the Supplies Division's responsibility for the provision of furnishings and equipment for public buildings not on the civil list.

• Supplies Division: Registered Files (SP Series): WORK 61; (SDA Series): WORK 62; (SX Series): WORK 63.
• Supplies Division: Design Drawings, WORK 64
• Supplies Division: Photographic Collection, WORK 65
• Supplies Division: Publications, WORK 66

For records of the Supplies Division of the Property Services Agency see CM 9

Public Record(s)

English

• Department of the Environment, Supplies Division, 1970-1972
• Ministry of Public Building and Works, Supplies Division, 1962-1970
• Ministry of Works and Buildings, Supplies Division, 1940-1942
• Ministry of Works and Planning, Supplies Division, 1942-1943
• Ministry of Works, Supplies Division, 1943-1962
• Office of Works, Supplies Division, 1907-1940
• Property Services Agency, Supplies Division, 1972-1984
• The Crown Suppliers, 1984-1991
• The Crown Suppliers, The Buying Agency, 1989-1991

6 series

Subject to 30 year closure unless otherwise stated

Department of the Environment , from 1990

Topics

Government finances

Official publications

In 1828 the Office of Works was given responsibility for the furnishing of all public offices, the law courts and official residences, other than those on the civil list. In the twentieth century, the range of items supplied extended beyond furniture and office equipment, encompassing at various times such diverse requirements as fire-fighting equipment for the Auxiliary Fire Service in the Second World War, canteen equipment and ceremonial decorations. The division also acted as a central purchasing agency for the provisioning of government departments and for fuel supply, letting of related contracts and controlling related stores. It was also responsible for disposal of surplus stores.

The Supplies Division of the Office of Works and its successors passed to the Department of the Environment in 1970 and to the Property Services Agency (PSA) in 1972. The Supplies Division of the PSA operated as a trading fund from 1976 and in 1984 was renamed The Crown Suppliers. In 1989 The Buying Agency was set up as part of The Crown Suppliers, and in 1991 The Buying Agency replaced The Crown Suppliers.