HC Deb 27 July 1983 vol 46 c482W
9. Mr. Madel

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is satisfied that small firms receive sufficient help and advice with technological matters from Government sources.

Mr. Trippier

We are always considering whether the services available from private sector bodies need to be supplemented by Government sponsored schemes. The small firms technical inquiry service was introduced in June 1982 to meet an identified need that small firms have for technological advice. It has dealt with over 3,000 inquiries since it started.

24. Mr. Bellingham

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce further measures to assist small firms in tendering for central and local Government contracts.

Mr. Trippier

The Government are considering ways to assist small firms' access to Government contracts. In particular, we are looking at the feasibility of setting up a viewdata database of information on Government procurement. We are also examining the scope for standardising and where possible simplifying the approval procedures used by Government Departments. Local authorities are autonomous bodies as regards their purchasing, but we encourage them to take into account the particular needs of small firms.

48. Mr. Rowe

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps Her Majesty's Government have taken to ensure that small firms secure a fair and proper share of the business generated by public procurement programmes.

Mr. Trippier

We have published a short booklet for small firms on "Tendering for Government Contracts" and introduced a number of changes to tendering and approvals procedures which help small firms' access to Government contracts. Information about some further developments were given in my earlier answer to the hon. Member for Norfolk, North-West (Mr. Bellingham).

Mr. Spence

49.. asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will complete his programme of publicity called "How to Make Your Business Grow".

Mr. Trippier

The programme of publicity was almost complete at the time of the announcement of the general election. I am considering future publicity on Government assistance available to small firms and what form this publicity should take. The booklet "How to Make Your Business Grow" will continue to be available. For the benefit of the House I arranged for an exhibition of the schemes for small firms to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall from 18 to 22 July.