§ Mrs. RocheTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average length of time that it takes his Department to pay invoices. [930]
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§ Mr. SackvilleThe latest available information shows that the average time in 1994–95 was 16 days.
§ Mrs. RocheTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what is the amount owed to those businesses whose invoices were not paid within the agreed credit period or within 30 days in each of the last five years; [1068]
(2) how many orders and firms are represented by the 8.1 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 are related to firms with fewer than 500 employees. [917]
§ Mr. SackvilleThe information is not available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
§ Mrs. RocheTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how his Department publicises payment practices other than as percentages of invoices paid late. [958]
§ Mr. SackvilleThe Department's policy, which will be published in the Departmental annual report, is to make payment to suppliers within the time limits agreed and specified in contracts with them. This will normally be within 30 days. Where appropriate, departmental contracts also require contractors to make payment to sub-contractors within 30 days of receipt of an invoice.