§ Mrs. RocheTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) 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; [6616]
(2) what advice has been given to procurement staff on the implications of purchasing from small and medium enterprises; [6618]
1121W(3) 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. [6665]
§ Mr. BurtProcurement staff in the DSS follow the guidance on procurement from small and medium enterprises issued by HM Treasury's central unit on procurement. The DSS is working with CUP to review examples of best practice in this area in order to update current guidance.
§ Mrs. RocheTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what meetings his Department has had since May 1995 with organisations representing small firms to review tendering procedures. [6617]
§ Mr. BurtThe director of procurement for DSS attended a meeting on 27 September 1995 organised by HM Treasury's central unit on procurement.
The meeting, which was also attended by the CBI small firms panel, the Association of British Chambers of Commerce and the Forum of Private Business, reviewed tendering procedures.
§ Mrs. RocheTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security 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. [6719]
§ Mr. BurtThe director of procurement for DSS has taken personal responsibility to act as a contact point for all issues relating to small and medium enterprises.