§ Mr. SayeedTo ask the Prime Minister what percentage of government and public agency bills and of what total value were not paid within 30 days over the last six months. [24244]
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§ The Prime MinisterThe information is not held centrally in the form requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Government departments and their agencies are required to aim to pay all their bills on time and to monitor the percentage of bills paid on time. Figures for departmental payment performance for the period 1 June 1996 to 31 March 1997 were given by my hon. Friend the Paymaster General on 27 November 1997, Official Report, columns 662–63. Figures for 1997–98 will be published before the Summer Recess.
The Government take the issue of late payment very seriously and are introducing legislation on a statutory right to interest on the late payment of commercial debt to address the problem.