§ Mrs. Barbara RocheTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is the average length of time it takes for his Department to pay invoices; [932]
(2) how his Department publicises payment practices other than as percentages of invoices paid late; [956]
(3) what is the amount owed to those businesses whose invoices were not paid within 30 days or within the agreed contractual arrangements in each of the last five years. [1119]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordThe Department only holds central data on its performance in paying invoices within 30 days or the agreed credit period where this is different. It does not hold a central record of the amount owed to businesses not paid within the agreed period. This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The Department's payment practices are publicised in its terms and conditions of contract and its annual report.