HC Deb 02 November 1995 vol 265 cc424-5W
Mrs. Roche

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how often his Department and each agency within it has failed to pay invoices due to small businesses within 30 days in each of the last five years. [40503]

Mr. Angela Knight

[holding answer 1 November 1995]: The Treasury aims to pay all legitimate invoices within 30 days, irrespective of the size of the business concerned. Records of the promptness of payment for the past five years are not maintained, but over the last three years the following percentage of invoices were not paid within 30 days.

  • 1993–94: 14 per cent.
  • 1993–94: 18 per cent.
  • 1995–96: 14 per cent.
Most of these invoices were delayed due to problems associated with the particular suppliers, such as an error in the invoice or failure to deliver the goods or service.