§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the average and the median time his Department has taken to pay suppliers in each of the last 12 months; and what proportion of bills it took more than six weeks to pay.
§ Mr. Ian TaylorThe information requested is not available. However, my Department conducts an annual survey of the proportion of its bills paid on time which is defined as within 30 days—or another period if agreed with the supplier—of receipt of both a valid invoice and the goods or services. The result is published in the annual Trade and Industry expenditure plans which is available in the Library of the House.