Small Businesses (Hansard, 22 October 1991)

§ Mr. Butler
To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what further action he proposes to help small businesses.

§ Mr. Forth
On 8 October my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State announced a seven-point package of further Government assistance to small firms and enterprise.
This includes a number of projects to help stimulate informal investment; a major drive to tackle the problem of late payment; the publication of a comprehensive guide to the sources of venture capital and equity and the introduction of a new enterprise award for TECs.

§ 20. Sir Michael Neubert
To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many small firms there were in Britain in(a) 1979 and (b) at the latest date for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Forth
At the end of 1979 there were 1.8 million businesses in the United Kingdom; at the end of 1989 there were 3 million. The overwhelming majority of these were small; 95 per cent. were employing fewer than 20 people.
The Government continue to be committed to helping small firms start and grow. To improve the business climate further, my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Employment announced on 8 October a number of important measures which I outlined in the answer I gave today to my hon. Friend the Member for Warrington, South (Mr. Butler).

§ Mr. Simon Coombs
To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is his Department's policy on the payment of invoices to small and medium-sized businesses.

§ Mr. Forth
The Department's policy on the payment of invoices to small and medium-sized businesses is to make payment in accordance with the terms agreed on the contract or, if no terms have been agreed, within 30 days of the supply of the goods or services.
All suppliers are paid in accordance with this policy, but it is of particular concern to the Department that small and medium-sized businesses receive payments when they are due.