§ Mrs. MayTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what his Department's policy is on the364W timely payment of debt; and what its record has been on debt payment in the current financial year. [9321]
§ Dr. HowellsAll departments are required to pay all their bills within agreed contract terms, or 30 days from receipt of the goods or service or a valid invoice, whichever is later, where no such terms exist. Information on payment performance for the current financial year could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The Government will publish a league table of departmental payment performance for 1996–97 in the Autumn.