§ Mrs. RocheTo ask the Attorney-General what is the average length of time it takes for his Department to pay invoices. [934]
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe information available for the Law Officers' Departments is as follows:
Over recent sample periods the average time between receipt of a valid invoice and payment was 17 days for the Serious Fraud Office, and 35 days for the Treasury Solicitor's Department. The Government Property Lawyers process all claims within five days.
The Crown Prosecution Service pays over 80 per cent. of witness expense claims within 10 working days.
§ Mrs. RocheTo ask the Attorney-General how his Department publicises payment practices other than as percentages of invoices paid late. [951]
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe Departments for which I am responsible make every effort to settle invoices promptly and in accordance with the requirements published inGovernment Accounting. Information about those Department's payment practices is published in the annual departmental report of the Lord Chancellor's and Law Officer's Departments.
In addition, the performance of the Crown Prosecution Service against its target of paying claims for witness expenses within 10 working days is published in its statutory annual report.
Invitations to tender issued by the Treasury Solicitor's Department also contain a reference to the effect that payment will be made within 30 days of receipt of a valid invoice.
The Government Property Lawyers publish details of payment policy in the annual report and accounts.