Written question asked by Lord Bellingham (Conservative) on Tuesday, 8 July 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 16 July 2003. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern (Labour) on Wednesday, 16 July 2003 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what discussions she has had with her counterparts in the EU concerning reform of the system for advertising EU public sector contracts for which small businesses might bid.

Answer: Mr. Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions she has had with her counterparts in the EU concerning reform of the system for advertising EU public sector contracts for which small businesses might bid. [125168] Jacqui Smith: My hon. Friend the then Minister for Competition, Consumers and Markets met her counterparts in the EU to discuss the need to reform the present system for awarding EU public sector contracts. These exchanges have taken place as part of the discussions held with the European Commission and other member states on the proposals to update, clarify and simplify the existing public procurement directives.

Secondary information