Oral Answers to Questions

Lord Bellingham Excerpts

Wednesday 6th July 2016 Commons Chamber

[Anna Soubry]

What I will say is this: I think that we must all work together now, however we voted and whatever our views, to ensure that we do the very best for our country. We should be under no illusions about the fact that we face some very big challenges and some very difficult months and years, not just days. What is important now is coming together and putting the past behind us.

[Sir Henry Bellingham (North West Norfolk) (Con)]

13. What plans he has to work with the Scottish Government on ensuring that more public procurement is directed towards small businesses; and if he will make a statement.

[The Minister for Small Business, Industry and Enterprise (Anna Soubry)]

Procurement has been an important part of the Government’s work. We are determined to deliver our target of central Departments spending 33% of their budgets with small and medium-sized enterprises by 2020. The last set of results showed that we were increasing the proportion to 27.1%.

[Sir Henry Bellingham]

Does the Minister agree that rather than setting specific percentage targets for small business procurement, the Scottish Government should follow best practices in counties such as Norfolk, and also work in close co-operation with the United Kingdom Government?

[Anna Soubry]

The short answer—I know you enjoy those, Mr Speaker—is an emphatic yes.