HC Deb 01 May 1996 vol 276 cc531-2W
Mrs. Roche

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of his Department's budget was spent on procurement from small and medium enterprises in 1995–96. [27519]

Mrs. Angela Knight

The Treasury does not distinguish between different sizes of supplier. The Department's aim is to award contracts which offer the

£ per annum 1995–96 prices
Average earnings Single person's basic retirement pension
Real terms growth per annum 1.5 per cent. 2 per cent. 2.5 per cent. 0 per cent. 1.5 per cent. 2 per cent. 2.5 per cent.
1995–96 17,490 17,490 17,940 3,060.20 3,060.20 3,060.20 3,060.20
2000–01 18,840 19,310 19,790 3,-6-.20 3,296.80 3,382.60 3,460.60
2010–11 21,860 23,540 25,330 3,060.20 3,824.60 4,126.20 4,435.60

best value for money, irrespective of supplier size. This follows advice on good procurement practice issued by the central unit of procurement. Small and medium enterprises are encouraged to bid for Government contracts as detailed in the video and booklet package "Think Big Buy Small" which was published in April.