§ Mr. Simon CoombsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his Department's policy on the payment of invoices to small and medium-sized businesses.
§ Mr. Kenneth BakerThe policy of the Department is to pay all invoices within the agreed terms of the contract or order or, in the absence of agreed terms, within 30 days of receipt of the goods or the presentation of a valid invoice, whichever is the later. The Department recognises and supports the principles of prompt payment and is participating in the examination of payment performance being undertaken by the Department of Employment in this financial year.