§ Sir Michael MarshallTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what distribution has taken place within this Department and the purchasing organisations for which he has responsibility of the Department of Employment's publication,"Making the Cash Flow—a Guide to the Payment of Commercial Debt for Buyers and Small Business Suppliers."
§ Mr. NorrisThe publication has been distributed to all managers within the Department of Transport carrying responsibility for the authorisation of payments to suppliers.
§ Sir Michael MarshallTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what policy guidelines are currently in place within his Department and the purchasing organisations for which he has responsibility in respect of the prompt payment of commercial debt, particularly as it relates to small business suppliers.
§ Mr. NorrisThe 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 specified terms the policy is to pay invoices within 30 days.