asked the Secretary of State for Trade what arrangements there are in his Department to ensure that small businesses receive a proportion of all purchasing contracts issued by his Department; and what proportion he expects this will be in 1979–80 and 1980–81.

Government purchasing policy is to secure that the best value for money is obtained. Within this, we ensure that no impediment is placed in the way of small firms seeking Government contracts. Information on which to base estimates for future years is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.