§ Mr. David ShawTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the achievements of(a) his policies and (b) his Department in helping small businesses over the last 12 months as against the previous 12 months; if he will publish the performance indicators by which his Department monitors those achievements and the statistical results of such monitoring; and if he will set out his targets to help small businesses in the next year.
Mr. John M. TaylorThe Government recognise the crucial role played by small firms in the United Kingdom economy. In November 1993, my Department issued a leaflet for small businesses which explains the possible advantages and disadvantages of using court action to recover debts.
My Department's standard conditions of contract contain a clause undertaking to pay contractors within 30 days of receipt and agreement of invoices. A further clause requires contractors to include in any subcontracting agreement a term that they will pay the subcontractor within 30 days. Although these clauses will be included in contracts with all outside companies, the effects of such good practices will clearly be more important to small businesses.