HC Deb 19 December 1995 vol 268 cc1013-4W
Mrs. Roche

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what work his Department has done to develop best practice in the publication of departmental procurement guidance material relevant to small and medium enterprises' needs. [6604]

Mr. Jonathan Evans

In June 1995 the Department issued its procurement manual to all departmental purchasing officers. This contains advice on identifying suppliers and directs purchasing staff to seek assistance from trade journals and magazines, business and trade directories, trade associations and professional organisations, the Association of British Chambers of Commerce, local enterprise agencies and small firms organisations such as the Alliance of Small Firms and Self Employed People, the National Federation of the Self Employed and Small Businesses Ltd., the Small Firms Council and the CBI.

In addition, the manual contains comprehensive information about the special contracts arrangement, a Government scheme aimed at helping workshops for disabled persons compete for government contracts.

Mrs. Roche

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what progress his Department has made regarding establishing a contact point with responsibility for liaison with relevant business support organisations and taking forward small and medium enterprise related public procurement initiatives. [6710]

Mr. Evans

The Department's procurement unit is the contact point for all such matters. The publication "Government Opportunities" is one way in which contact details are publicised to potential suppliers, including small and medium enterprises.

Mrs. Roche

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what meetings his Department has had since May 1995 with organisations representing small firms to review tendering procedures. [6605]

Mr. Evans

None.

Mrs. Roche

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what advice has been given to procurement staff on the implications of purchasing from small and medium enterprises. [6606]

Mr. Evans

The following guidance has been issued.Size may be relevant to the selection of tenderers, but only insofar as it is necessary to assess whether or not the job is within their capability. Once that assessment has been made, relative size is likely to be less significant than skills. efficiency, experience and reliability—characteristics relevant to value for money but just as likely to be found in small firms as in large and particularly relevant in the procurement of services".