§ Mr. David ShawTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the achievement of his Department and his policies in helping small businesses over the last 12 months compared with the previous 12 months; and if he will publish the performance indicators by which his Department monitors those achievements and the statistical results of such monitoring.
§ Mrs. RumboldDuring 1987–88 the Department purchased goods to the value of £3.8 million, of which some £1.3 million was spent with small firms. In the service area (minor works, cleaning, transportation, and so on) we estimate that 40 per cent. of our expenditure is with small firms. The Department has established a purchasing unit whose remit is to obtain value for money. The unit is aware of the importance attached by Government to helping small businesses and includes them in inquiries wherever appropriate.