§ Mr. David ShawTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the achievements of(a) his policies and (b) his Department in helping small businesses over the last 12 months as against 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.
§ Mr. GoodladWe continue to place a high priority on helping small businesses, through improvements to the business climate, through deregulation and through specific programmes of support and assistance.
Small firms are given full opportunity to bid for business with the Department. It is also our policy to pay invoices on time.
Business transacted by the Department with small firms in the United Kingdom has increased from £24.2 million in the financial year 1991–92 to £35.8 million in 1992–93. In 1992–93 26.9 per cent. of total expenditure on the purchase of goods and services was with small firms.