HC Deb 20 December 1995 vol 268 cc1201-2W
Mrs. Roche

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what advice has been given to procurement staff on the implications for purchasing from small to medium enterprises. [6627]

Mr. Howard

[holding answer 19 December 1995]: Procurement staff are advised that the size of a company is relevant to the selection of tenderers only in so far as it affects its capability to meet our requirements. Once that capability is established, there is no discrimination between small, medium or large companies. Contracts are awarded to firms which best meet our value for money criteria, which will include skills, efficiency, experience, price, delivery and quality. Small and large firms should be equally capable of meeting these criteria.

Mrs. Roche

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (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; [6625]

(2) 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; [6716]

(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. [6662]

Mr. Howard

[holding answers 18 and 19 December 1995]: Although we have undertaken no formal review of measures to facilitate small firms' access to appropriate areas of procurement, the inherently devolved nature of Home Office procurement provides an excellent opportunity for small firms to establish local contact. The Home Office procurement unit has a number of staff with special responsibility for policy in relation to small to medium enterprises and for ensuring that those wishing to supply the Home Office receive all the necessary support and information. In response to the Government White Paper, "Setting New Standards", the Home Office will shortly be publishing a small business contact point in a revised booklet for new suppliers. This will contain additional information of interest to small to medium enterprises. In addition, the Home Office procurement manual, widely circulated throughout the Home Office, contains guidance on purchasing from small firms.