HL Deb 09 February 1978 vol 388 c1239WA
Lord HYLTON

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What steps they are taking to ensure that foreign buyers pay for arms purchased on the due dates, in view of the finding of the Auditor-General that delayed payments doubled between 1974 and 1976.

Lord WINTERBOTTOM

The rise in outstanding payments is partly a reflection of the higher volume of business transacted over this period. There has also been a marked increase in payments delayed for a prolonged period. A wide range of measures is already in hand to combat this development. These measures include improved administrative procedures, revised terms of payment for particular customers and activities and further emphasis on obtaining advance payments whenever possible.