§ Mrs. RocheTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how his Department publicises payment practices other than as percentages of invoices paid late. [961]
Mr. John M. TaylorThe Department's general conditions of contract contain a clause informing suppliers that we shall make a payment within agreed terms, or within 30 days of receipt of an invoice, where no such terms exist. The conditions also give advice on how to complain if the Department fails to make payment on time. Annual surveys of invoice payments are carried out,108W the latest of which showed that 93.9 per cent. of invoices were paid on time. A further survey is being carried out of invoices authorised for payment during the month of November. The survey results, together with details of the Department's payment policies, are published in the Department's annual report.
§ Mrs. RocheTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the average length of time it takes for his Department to pay invoices. [927]
Mr. TaylorThe information required to answer the question is not recorded centrally. An examination of the procedures for paying invoices throughout the Department has shown that, on average, invoices are paid within seven days of receipt.