§ Mr. Wattsasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the value of contracts placed by his 508W Department with small businesses in each of the financial years since 1978–79; and what percentage of total expenditure on purchases of goods and services those amounts represented.
§ Sir Keith JosephThe Department is mindful of Government policy to encourage the development of small firms, but has not to date kept detailed records of the value of contracts placed with small firms, However, the department will be keeping records of contracts let to small firms (under 200 people) for 1987–88 and beyond.