§ Mr. David ShawTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 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. Kenneth BakerThe Home Office continues to place a high priority on helping small firms to obtain344W business from the various divisions of the Department by improving access and the information necessary to ensure they have opportunities to submit competitive bids. We have continued to distribute our booklet: "Selling to the Home Office" which summarises our purchasing needs and lists contact points for potential suppliers. In addition, we have been represented at several "Meet the Buyer" functions, seminars and conferences including those organised by manufacturers' associations and the Instutition of Purchasing and Supply.
Home Office performance indicators on purchasing continue to be directed toward obtaining better value for the money we spend. We do not differentiate between the size of firms to which contracts are awarded and we cannot, therefore, provide statistical information about the volume of business we place with small firms.