HC Deb 01 December 1994 vol 250 cc841-2W
Mr. Betts

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) of the bills currently awaiting payment in his Department, how many are over the advised payment date by(a) up to one month, (b) up to two months, (c) up to three months, (d) up to six months and (e) over six months, respectively;

(2) how many of the bills paid by his Department during the last month for which figures are available were paid within (a) up to one month, (b) up to two months, (c) up to three months, (d) up to six months and (e) over six months from the receipt of invoice; and how many were over the date for payment by (i) up to one month, (ii) up to two months, (iii) up to three months, (iv) up to six months and (v) over six months.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

The information is not available in the form requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, Departments are required to provide details of their annual payment performance in their departmental reports. In its 1995 annual report, the Home Office expects to report payment performance in excess of 90 per cent. in accordance with agreed contractual conditions or, where no such contractual conditions existed, within 30 days of receipt of goods and services or the presentation of a valid invoice.