§ Mr. AtkinsonTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he proposes to extend his Department's standing instructions to all Government Departments on the timing of the payment of bills to small businesses and local authorities; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MellorThe standing guidance to Government Departments on the timing of the payment of bills, which is set out in "Government Accounting", the Treasury's guide on accounting and financial procedures, does not apply to the payment of bills by local authorities, which are responsible for their own policy in this matter.