§ Mr. David ShawTo ask the Attorney-General if he will make a statement on the results 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. [34707]
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§ The Attorney-GeneralThe Government recognise the crucial role played by small firms in the United Kingdom economy.
The Government continue to help smaller businesses by keeping inflation and interest rates low and by reducing legislative, administrative and taxation burdens. They also provide direct assistance where appropriate.
The White Paper announced in May 1995 outlines a programme of measures to assist the growth and competitiveness of the small firms sector.
Of the Departments for which I am responsible, the Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers and the Treasury Solicitor's Department provide services which are largely internal to Government. The functions of the Crown Prosecution Service and the Serious Fraud Office relate purely to the criminal justice system.
As regards purchasing, the Law Officers' Departments have regard to the desirability of promoting the interests of small businesses. However, no specific policies or performance indicators exist in those Department in this connection.