§ Mr. BettsTo ask the Attorney-General what percentage of bills to his Department were paid in accordance with agreed contractual conditions or, where no such contractual conditions existed, within 30 days of receiving goods and services or the presentation of a valid invoice in the last year for which figures are available. [5709]
The Solicitor-GeneralThe Departments for which the Attorney-General is responsible make every effort to settle invoices promptly. In 1994–95, the Serious Fraud Office paid 74 per cent. of invoices in accordance with contract terms or, where there were no such terms, within 30 days. The Crown Prosecution Service paid 81.4 per cent. of witness expense claims within 10 days.