HC Deb 23 May 1978 vol 950 c557W
Mr. Loveridge

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will instruct those Departments of Government purchasing goods and services to settle their bills as expeditiously as possible, especially to small and medium-sized businesses on which delays in payment can have a serious effect.

Mr. Joel Barnett

Departments are under long-standing instruction that payments properly due must not be postponed for any reason.

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