§ Mr. David ShawTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, if he will make a statement on the results of(a) his policies and (b) his Department in helping small businesses over the last 12 months as against the previous 12 months; and if he will publish the performance indicators by which his Department monitors those achievements and the statistical results of such monitoring. [34699]
Mr. John M. TaylorThe Government recognise the crucial role played by small firms in the United Kingdom economy.
Government continue to help smaller companies by keeping inflation and interest rates low and by reducing legislative and administrative and taxation burdens. It also provides direct assistance when appropriate.
The second competitiveness White Paper announced in May 1955 outlines a programme of measures to assist the growth and competitiveness of the small firms sector.
My Department has improved its payment record to 93.5 per cent. of invoices paid on time, a fair proportion of which will be of benefit to small firms, and a target of 95 per cent. has been set for this financial year. Details of the special contracts arrangement have been sent to all my Department's purchasing officers.
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