HC Deb 22 November 1995 vol 267 c212W
Mrs. Roche

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how his Department publicises payment practices other than as percentages of invoices paid late. [959]

Mr. Howard

My Department publicises information about its payment practices in its annual report, including a commitment to the Confederation of British Industry prompt payment code. Statistics on prompt payment are currently publicised only as a percentage of invoices paid.

Mrs. Roche

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the amount owed to those businesses whose invoices were not paid within 30 days in each of the last five years. [1115]

Mr. Howard

Information about the total value of invoices not paid within 30 days in each of the last five years is not available except at disproportionate cost.

Mrs. Roche

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average length of time it takes for his Department to pay invoice.

Mr. Howard

An analysis of invoices paid in October 1995 shows that on average they were paid within 24 days of receipt of a valid invoice.