§ Brian CotterTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she will publish the Government's response to the Competition Commission's report on small business banking. [39766]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonPublication dates for such reports are not announced in advance. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and my end the Chancellor of the Exchequer will publish the report as soon as practicable.
§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the barriers that stand in the way of effective competition between the relatively small and the relatively large construction companies in Government Department construction contracts; and what measures regarding(a) aggregation, (b) contract bundling and (c) framework agreements she has implemented to ensure that businesses are offered a more level playing field. [38685]
§ Mr. Wilson[holding answer 28 February 2002]: Over the past year OGC and the Small Business Service have jointly undertaken research to identify the barriers to effective competition in the government marketplace. No specific research has been conducted in the construction sector.
Aggregation, contract bundling and framework agreements were all raised by small firms as being barriers to accessing the government market. OGC is reviewing best practice in each of these areas to ensure optimum value for money.
§ Mr. RosindellTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the mission statement of small business/Europe is. [39647]
§ Nigel GriffithsThe mission statement of small business/Europe is to maximise the interests of UK small and medium-sized businesses at the European Union level.