§ Mr. Simon CoombsTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his Department's policy on the payment of invoices to small and medium-sized businesses.
§ Mr. McLoughlinThe Department's policy, in line with the principles of the citizens charter, is to pay all invoices within the contracted period, unless delay is unavoidable because of a dispute or for some other legitimate reason. Where there are no agreed terms the policy is to pay invoices within 30 days.