§ Mr. Gryllsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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. Peter WalkerIn accordance with the Government's public purchasing policy, my Department's suppliers are selected on merit, irrespective of company size. The Department reviews its list of suppliers at regular intervals and, in the case of annual contracts, immediately prior to going out to tender. It takes account of representations made by both large and small firms throughout the year; when appropriate it seeks out new firms to supply goods; and it operates a general policy of rotating invitations to tender subject to value for money considerations. The Department does not keep records of the size of firms to which contracts are awarded.