§ Mr. ChidgeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received regarding the late payment of EU TACIS fund invoices submitted by British companies. [62069]
§ Mrs. Roche[holding answer 3 December 1998]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has not received any representations regarding the late payment of EU Tacis fund invoices submitted by British companies. This subject was discussed during a meeting between my hon. Friend the Minister for Trade and representatives from the British Consultants Bureau on 1 October. The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my right hon. Friend the Member for Gateshead, East and Washington, West (Ms Quin), also raised the issue with the Commission in Brussels on 16 November, following up earlier action by senior officials at the Department for International Development and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.