Oral Answers to Questions

James Duddridge Excerpts

Wednesday 27th June 2018 Commons Chamber

[Chloe Smith]

As you will know, Mr Speaker, given your role in connection with it, the Electoral Commission is an independent body. I am not able to respond at this point to questions about investigations that it is undertaking.

[James Duddridge (Rochford and Southend East) (Con)]

3. What steps his Department is taking to encourage the use of small businesses in Government procurement.

--- Later in debate ---

[The Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office (Oliver Dowden)]

Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and we are determined to continue to level the playing field so that they can compete for Government contracts. That is why in April I announced a number of measures to help achieve that and have recently met the Government’s strategic suppliers and Ministers in several Departments to ensure that those measures are delivered.

[James Duddridge]

I thank the Minister for that reply. Specifically, how will coastal towns such as Southend-on-Sea benefit from the changes in this procurement procedure?

[Oliver Dowden]

As my hon. Friend will know, small businesses generate more than 16 million jobs and we are determined to level the playing field so that those in coastal towns such as Southend get their fair share of prosperity and win Government contracts. I encourage businesses in Southend to look on Contracts Finder, on which more than 17,000 small businesses are already registered, for procurement opportunities.