§ Mr. Wattsasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the value of contracts placed by his 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.
§ Mr. BrookeHer Majesty's Treasury does not record information about the value of contracts according to the size of businesses with which they are placed. Such information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Since 1978–79 there has been greater emphasis on contracting-out Government business and the value of contracts placed with all businesses, including small businesses, has increased. Examples where Treasury purchasing is known to be from small businesses are travel arrangements, taxi hire and carpet purchasing and laying.