§ Mrs. RocheTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many orders and firms are represented by the 13 per cent. of invoices not paid by his Department within 30 days or in accordance with contractual agreements in 1994–95; and how many of those related to firms with fewer than 500 employees. [1116]
§ Mr. HanleyThe 13 per cent. of payments not made by the Overseas Development Administration in 1994–95 within 30 days of receipt of a valid invoice or in accordance with contractual arrangements amounted to 3,328 payments out of a total number of 25,234. Separate figures for small firms are not available.
§ Mrs. RocheTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how his Department publicises payment practices other than as percentages of invoices paid late. [957]
§ Mr. HanleyThe FCO, Diplomatic Wing and Overseas Development Administration, publishes payment performance, as a percentage of invoices paid on time, in the annual departmental report. The FCO, DW and ODA, is committed to the CBI prompt payment code, which includes a clause to the effect that properly supported invoices will be paid within 30 days of receipt. The ODA is introducing a payment advice slip which informs the payee of the ODA's commitment to the CBI prompt payment code and invites them to take up an query with the head of ODA's accounts department.
§ Mrs. RocheTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the average length of time it takes for his Department to pay invoices. [931]
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§ Mr. HanleyThe FCO Diplomatic Wing has, since 1994, measured its payment performance using a random sample of invoices submitted throughout the year. An analysis of this sample shows that the average time taken to pay invoices is 20 days. The Overseas Development Administration takes an average of 10 days, the Wilton Park executive agency an average of 25 days and the Natural Resources Institute an average of 10 days.