§ 87. Mr. Weatherillasked the Chan cellor of the Exchequer if he will earmark a proportion of all Government purchases for tender by firms employing less than 500 people or by small businesses identified in some other way.
§ Mr. Harold LeverThe Government recognise the need to encourage small businesses. They are considered for Government purchases equally with their larger competitors; but to reserve contracts for competition amongst them would cut across other considerations to which the Government must have regard in its purchasing.