§ Mr. Gryllsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department 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. WhitelawThe Government's measures to encourage tendering by small firms have been brought to the notice of all Home Office spending branches. However, the Department does not keep records of the size of firms to which contracts are awarded and the proportion of contracts awarded to small firms in 1982–83 cannot be estimated with any precision. It is expected to be substantial.