§ Mr. FatchettTo ask the Prime Minister if he will set out the steps taken by his Government to ensure that Government Departments pay outstanding bills within 30 days of their receipt; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Prime Minister"Government Accounting" requires all Departments to pay outstanding bills in accordance with the terms of the contract or generally understood terms of business, or within 30 days of the receipt of goods and services or the presentation of a valid invoice or similar demand for payment, whichever is the later, if no terms are specified.
Departments are responsible for monitoring their payment performance. The results for 1991–92 were published in written parliamentary answers on 13 July 1992. The results for 1992–93 will be published shortly and Departments will, in future, also be required to publish details of their payment performance in departmental reports.