§ Mr. Gryllsasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 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. Adam ButlerIn accordance with the Government's public purchasing policy, Northern Ireland Departments' suppliers are selected on merit, irrespective of company size. We expect, however, to apply in Northern Ireland the new procedures designed to assist small firms seeking Government contracts which have recently been agreed. Northern Ireland Departments do not keep records of the size of firms to which contracts are awarded; for this reason it is not possible to estimate the proportion of contracts likely to be awarded to small firms in 1982–83.