§ 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; if he will publish the performance indicators by which his Department monitors those achievements and the statistical results of such monitoring; and if he will set out his targets to help small businesses in the next year.
232W
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydWe recognise the crucial role played by small firms in the United Kingdom economy. The Government help small firms by keeping inflation and interest rates low and by reducing legislation and administration burdens. They also provide direct assistance where appropriate and are establishing a network of Business Links to provide high-quality business support across the country.
The Department, together with the Department of Trade and Industry, through the Overseas Trade Services, provides advice, information, and financial support to help United Kingdom exporters win overseas business. This work is particularly aimed at smaller and less experienced exporters. An independent survey of the delivery of the services shows a consistently high level of customer satisfaction and some 90 per cent. of respondents regularly say that they will use the services again. Details of these chargeable services are given in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office departmental report 1994.
Small firms are given full opportunity to bid for business with the Department. It remains our firm policy to pay invoices on time.
Business transacted by the Department with small firms in the United Kingdom was £35.7 million in 1993–94 when it accounted for 27.6 per cent. of total expenditure on the purchase of goods and services—1992–93: £35.8 million; 26.9 per cent.
The Department has no specific targets to favour small business, but will ensure that small firms continue to be given full opportunity to compete equally and fairly.