HC Deb 16 December 1983 vol 50 c588W
Mr. Grylls

asked the Prime Minister what percentage of Government public contracts were awarded to small and medium sized firms in the financial year 1982–83.

The Prime Minister

Departments do not keep records of the size of firms which win Government contracts, and it would be difficult and expensive to do so. Moreover, statistics relating to main contractors would not reveal the extent to which small and medium sized firms carry out Government business as subcontractors.