§ Mr. Ottawayasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the average time it takes his Department to pay suppliers of goods and services to his Department.
§ Sir Keith JosephDetailed records are not kept, but payment is generally made within 28 days of delivery of goods or completion of services, or in accordance with the terms of a specific contract.
Department SIP at 1 July 1979 SIP at 1 July 1985 Change Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 13,864 11,264 -2,600 Intervention Board for Agricultural Produce 521 701 +180 Inland Revenue 83,398 69,884 -13,514 Customs and Excise 28,400 25,204 -3,196 Department for National Savings 10,544 7,796 -2,748 Her Majesty's Stationery Office 6,629 3,421 -3,208 Treasury* 1,028 3,396 +2,368 Royal Mint 1,339 975 -364 Central Office of Information 1,182 900 -282 Registry of Friendly Societies 114 124 +10 Government Actuary's Department 56 60 +4 National Investment and Loans Office (including National Debt Office) 45 51 +6 Department of Education and science 2,649 2,417 -232 Victoria and Albert Museum† 595 — -595 Science Museum† 468 — -468 Department of Employment 22,392 29,503 +7,111 Health and Safety Commission Executive 4,134 3,582 -552 Manpower Services Commission (including Training and Employment Divisions) 25,252 20,583 -4,669