§ Mrs. RocheTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his department's policy regarding bulk buying for business links. [28152]
§ Mr. PageBusiness links, as independent companies, are fully responsible for their own purchasing arrangements including securing best value for money, taking account of all factors.
My Department is keen to encourage business links to develop collaborative bulk-buying which will secure greater value for money in their purchase of equipment and services. I therefore welcome the establishment of the business link network company which, when fully operational, will provide a range of support services to the business links including the development of purchasing arrangements of this type.
§ Mrs. RocheTo ask the President of the Board of Trade which business links have achieved the Investor in People standard. [28153]
§ Mr. PageBusiness Link, Teesside achieved recognition as an Investor in People on the 22 April 1996. Other business links, such as Lincolnshire, operate as divisions of training and enterprise councils and are therefore part of the existing recognition of the TEC. As a requirement of the business links accreditation process, all business links must become recognised Investors in People within three years of opening.