§ Mr. Brightasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what machinery exists in his Department to monitor purchasing by Government Departments, nationalised industries and other public sector bodies from small firms.
§ Mr. LawsonAn interdepartmental committee, chaired by the Treasury, provides the machinery for considering, with purchasing Departments, a wide range of procurement issues, including purchasing from small firms. The changes announced on 26 November 1982 to help small firms to tender for Government contracts were discussed in this committee, and further such measures are under consideration.