§ Mr. CranTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to announce the results of his Department's review of its purchasing procedures; and what priority he attaches to improving access for smaller firms.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonAs part of the purchasing initiative to seek value for money improvements in Government spending, my Department has carried out a review of its purchasing procedures for internal control purposes and has issued revised guidelines intended to assist all purchasing staff in achieving this aim. These guidelines cover advice on purchasing from small firms, and it is now this Ministry's policy to include at least one small firm wherever practical within each product group reviewed.
In addition, as part of this Ministry's developing purchasing strategy, closer relationships with suppliers are being developed through regular purchasing seminars, and detailed guidance has been drawn up for issue to potential suppliers, including small firms, on how to gain access to the Ministry's major contracts. All main purchasing points have also been issued with a guidance booklet entitled "Payment on Time" intended particularly to assist small suppliers.