§ Mr. EffordTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will ensure that small companies automatically receive interest from public bodies on late payments made after 30 days of being invoiced; [134107]
(2) what recent discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on compensation for payment by public bodies after 30 days of invoices from small businesses; [134110]
(3) what steps he has taken to ensure that public bodies settle invoices within a 30 day period. [134109]
§ Mr. Andrew SmithI refer my hon. Friend to the three answers my hon. Friend the Minister for Small Business and E-Commerce gave to him on 23 October 2000,Official Report, columns 9–10W.
§ Mr. EffordTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will seek to amend the Late Payments of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 to ensure that small companies automatically receive interest from public bodies on late payments made after 30 days of being invoiced. [134108]
§ Mr. Andrew SmithUnder the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998, small businesses have an automatic right to claim interest from public bodies on debts incurred under contracts agreed after 1 November 1998.