§ Mr. Gryllsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what arrangements there are in his Department to ensure that the Government's policy towards small firms is furthered through the procurement policy of his Department so that small businesses receive a proportion of all purchasing contracts issued by his Department; and what proportion he expects this will be in 1982–83.
§ Mr. HeseltineContracts and orders are awarded on a competitive basis. A considerable number of contracts is for sums under £20,000, and are suitable for smaller firms who are included in tender lists. The Department does not, however, allocate a specific proportion of purchases to smaller firms, which are expected to compete for business on their merits. Numerous orders are placed with smaller firms, but records of these are not kept separately.