§ 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 achievments and the statistical results of such monitoring.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe Government continue to place a high priority on helping small businesses, through improvements to the business climate, through deregulation and other measures and through specific programmes of support and assistance.
During 1990–91, both wings of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office continued to place a considerable part of their business with small firms. In the diplomatic wing, the value of this business over the last three years was: 366W
£ million Percentage of expenditure 1988–89 16.3 15.9 1989–90 32.8 22.5 1990–91 33.9 23.8 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. The ODA also encourages small firms to compete for aid-financed consultancy contracts overseas.
In the diplomatic wing, the director of purchasing provides information and guidance to purchasing departments about buying from small firms. He ensures that, whenever possible, small 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.
Diplomatic service posts overseas provide a range of export promotion services to British firms. In line with the British Overseas Trade Board's forward plan, particular emphasis is placed on supporting small and medium-sized firms in the development of their export business. Performance indicators for the use of these services do not indicate company size.