§ Mrs. RocheTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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. [6640]
§ Mr. ArbuthnotMy Department produces a publication, "Selling to the Ministry of Defence", which, in addition to setting out our basic procurement procedures, also provides a range of useful contact points within the Department. This publication, has been well received by small and medium enterprises. I will place a copy in the Library of the House.
§ Mrs. RocheTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what meetings his Department has had since May 1995 with organisations representing small firms to review tendering procedure. [6641]
§ Mr. ArbuthnotThe Department maintains regular contact with a variety of trade associations representing companies involved in the defence sector that count among their membership small firms. Those discussions will from time to time include consideration of the Department's tendering procedures.
§ Mrs. RocheTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the outcome of his Department's review of measures taken to facilitate small firms' access to appropriate areas of Government procurement in the light of best practice. [6657]
§ Mr. Arbuthnot[holding answer 18 December 1995]: The Ministry of Defence has always encouraged small firms to hid for work appropriate to their skills and capabilities. No specific review of this area of the Department's procurement activity is currently being undertaken.