§ Mr. Nicholas BennettTo ask the Prime Minister what action is being taken by Government Departments to ensure that invoices are paid promptly, especially where the debt is owed to a small business.
393W
§ The Prime MinisterGovernment Departments are advised in "Government Accounting" that payment should be made as soon as possible after authorisation, subject to Departments taking, at their discretion, advantage of any supplier credit. Departments should not postpone payment to avoid an excess on a vote nor for any other reason. Copies of the booklet "Prompt Payment Please" prepared by the Department of Employment and a number of other organisations, which emphasises the need for fair dealing with small suppliers, have been sent by that Department to other Government Departments.