§ Mrs. RocheTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what proportion of his Department's budget was spent on procurement from small and medium enterprises in 1995–96. [27533]
§ Mr. WillettsThe information is not held centrally and is available only at disproportionate cost.
§ Mrs. RocheTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what guidance has been issued to his Department's purchasing staff regarding the implications of dealing with small and medium enterprises. [27513]
§ Mr. WillettsThe Office of Public Service and its agencies, HMSO and the Central Office of Information have issued guidance to purchasing staff based on guidelines produced by the Treasury and the Department of Trade and Industry. In addition, copies of the new edition of the "Think Big Buy Small" booklet will be made available to purchasing staff.