§ Mr. BettsTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of bills to her948W Department for the financial year 1995 to 1996 were paid (a) in accordance with agreed contractual conditions and (b) within 30 days of receiving goods and services or the presentation of a valid invoice where no contractual conditions applied. [21214]
§ Mr. Robin Squire[holding answer 20 March 1997]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade on 18 July 1996, Official Report, columns 613–14 which answered part (b) of the above question. An answer to part (a) could be provided only at disproportionate cost.