§ Mrs. RocheTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how often his Department and each 291W agency within it has failed to pay invoices due to small businesses within 30 days in each of the last five years; [40525]
(2) how many petitions for bankruptcy have been begun by his Department for businesses with under 500 employees in each of the last five years. [40526]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordDepartmental payment records do not identify the size of businesses paid. However, latest records show that 92 per cent. of all bills have been paid within the agreed credit period, or within 30 days where no credit period was agreed. The Department has no record of beginning any petitions for bankruptcy against businesses of any size in the last five years.