§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy towards prompt payment of departmental debts to small firms.
§ Mr. HeseltineIt is the policy of my Department to ensure that payments, including those to small firms, are made promptly within the period stipulated in the appropriate contract or within 30 days of receipt of a valid invoice.
My Department is conscious of the cash flow problems that small firms may encounter if the payment of valid invoices is not made promptly and my officials monitor payment performance and make regular returns to the Department of Employment which intend to publish them in due course.