Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill

My Lords, I also support the thrust of the amendment of the noble Lord, Lord Mitchell, particularly as regards SMEs. I welcome his comments regarding SMEs’ concerns around the payment of debts. The Minister will know that I and others have often raised this issue. It is important for SMEs to be directly involved but, where contracts are awarded to large contractors, small businesses have an important role in supplying those large contractors. To follow on from the point the noble Lord made about late payment, will the Minister once again renew efforts to ensure that main contractors pay their bills to SMEs on time and in due order?