§ Mr. Ottawayasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average time it takes his Department to pay suppliers of goods and services to his Department.
§ Mr. Kenneth Baker90 per cent. of invoices received by the Crown Suppliers and DOE (Central) are paid within 30 days, and the remainder as soon as queries or disputes have been resolved.
For PSA works contracts, the payment provisions will vary according to the type and value of the contract. Normally there are arrangements for payment on account during the course of a contract, but both those interim payments and the final payment can only be made once the work has been valued and certified as satisfactory. Following such certification, bills are normally paid within three weeks.