§ Mrs. RocheTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what meetings his Department has had since May 1995 with organisations representing small firms to review tendering procedures. [6626]
§ Mr. Howard[holding answer 19 December 1995]: The Treasury central unit on procurement arranged a meeting with the Confederation of British Industry small firms panel, the Association of British Chambers of Commerce and the Forum of Private Business in September 1995 to review tendering procedures. Representatives of some individual Departments attended; the Home Office will consider any recommendations which are made.
Home Office tendering procedures are subject to periodic review. Measures which may assist small firms include the use of simple written requests for quotations, rather than formal tenders, for lower value purchases of goods and services, and increased delegated powers to managers to buy locally.