§ Mr. Gryllsasked the Secretary of State for Transport what arrangements there are in his Department to ensure that the Government's policy towards small firms is furthered through the procurement policy of his Department so that small businesses receive a proportion of all purchasing contracts issued by his Department; and what proportion he expects this will be in 1982–83.
§ Mr. David HowellIn accordance with the Government's purchasing policy, my Department's suppliers are selected on merit irrespective of company size. My Department does not keep records of the size of firm to which contracts are awarded. It is not possible, therefore, to estimate the proportion of contracts likely to be awarded to small businesses in 1982–83. Although my Department lets few contracts that are suitable for small firms, where appropriate the Department will be applying the new measures announced recently by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Industry. Opportunities for small businesses also arise through subcontracts let as a result of contracts placed by my Department.