§ Sir Michael MarshallTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the outcome of the survey of prompt payment by Government Departments.
§ Mr. LeighDuring the financial year 1991–92, major purchasing Government Departments and agencies undertook sample surveys to determine the percentage of invoices paid within the agreed credit period, or within 30 days where no credit period had been set. All but two departments reported results in the range 70 to 100 per cent.
507WThe full details are:
Department Invoices paid within contract terms or 30 days percentage Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 77.0 Customs and Excise 83.0 Defence 89.3 Education and Science 83.2 Employment Service 83.0 Energy 91.8 Foreign and Commonwealth 86.0 Health 85.0 Health and Safety Executive 86.6 Inland Revenue 99.0 Lord Chancellor's Department 82.5 National Savings 93.0 Northern Ireland Office 74.0 Overseas Development Administration 87.6 Property Services Agency Building Management 41.6 Projects 80.6 Scottish Office 82.0 Social Security 90.4 Trade and Industry 80.0 Transport 83.0 Welsh Office 65.0 I have asked that Departments continue to monitor their payment performance and that individual Departments report that performance on request.