§ Mr. David ShawTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the achievements of(a) his policies and (b) his Department in helping small businesses over the last 12 months as against the previous 12 months; and if he will publish the performance indicators by which his Department monitors those achievements and the statistical results of such monitoring.
§ Mr. Lennox-Boyd[holding answer 24 July]: In 1989–90 both wings of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office continued to place a part of their requirements for goods and services with small businesses. In the Diplomatic Wing the value of this business over the last two years was:
£ million Percentage of expenditure 1988–89 16.38 15.9 1989–90 32.80 22.5 The DW director of purchasing disseminates to purchasing departments information and guidance on procurement from small firms. He ensures that, whenever possible, such firms are included in invitations to tender and that they are awarded contracts if their offer is the best on a value-for-money basis.
The ODA uses procurement agencies to undertake purchasing and supply on behalf of recipient governments in developing countries. Its register of agents includes several small businesses. ODA also encourages small firms to compete for aid-financed consultancy contracts overseas.
In line with the BOTB forward plan, diplomatic service posts put a particular emphasis on supporting small and medium-sized businesses through a wide range of export promotion services. Performance indicators for these activities do not distinguish company size.