Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jeff Smith and Oliver Dowden

Wednesday 10th January 2018 Commons Chamber

[Oliver Dowden]

I do not think there is anything wrong with profit. Profit is a reward for investment made by businesses. Perhaps if the hon. Gentleman had listened to my answer, he would not have had to read a pre-scripted question. I gently suggest to him that this is something the Government take very seriously. We, for the first time, as a Government—this had not been done for 13 years previously—started measuring the number of small and medium-sized enterprises that have Government contracts. We set a target of 25% in the last Parliament, and we have delivered on that, so I think that is a record of success for this Government.

[Jeff Smith (Manchester, Withington) (Lab)]

4. What steps he is taking to ensure that democratic processes are protected against foreign influence.