§ Mr. GreenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to encourage more prompt payment of bills by local authorities. [158670]
§ Ms Beverley HughesThe Government have set a statutory best value performance indicator requiring local authorities to monitor the percentage of invoices paid on time, and to publish this figure in their annual performance plan. Authorities are expected to set targets that are consistent with our own standards for central Government, whereby 100 per cent. of invoices must be paid on time by the end of the financial year 2002–03.