HC Deb 21 March 1986 vol 94 c318W
Mr. Ottaway

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average time it takes his Department to pay suppliers of goods and services to his Department.

Mr. Major

Payments to suppliers are not centralised, but may be made from any of the local, regional or central offices of the Department. No figures are therefore available for an average time for payment across the Department as a whole.