§ Mr. David ShawTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the achievements 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. RumboldIt is estimated that during 1988–89 the Department purchased goods to the value of £6.1 million (£3.8 million previous year) of which some £2.4 million benefited small firms (£1.3 million previous year).
451WApproximately 40 per cent. of our services—minor works, cleaning, transportation and so on—continue to be provided by small firms.
Performance indicators and a computerised procurement monitoring system are currently being developed. Meantime the Department continues to operate a policy of including small firms on tender lists whenever an appropriate opportunity arises.