§ Mr. ToddTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list each of the functions relating to payment for goods or services supplied for which her Department is responsible indicating the management systems purchased, all sub-contractors involved in the work, co-operative arrangements with other Departments; and the costs of the systems and processes in the last year for which figures are available. [12572]
§ Mrs. RocheIn line with other Government Departments, the DTI is responsible for payments relating to the goods and services it procures. There are well-established procedures aimed at promoting efficient and effective procurement and prompt payment. In general, each management unit within the Department is responsible for purchases in relation to its own needs. The Department's central procurement standards unit formulates overall policy and disseminates best practice. Payments of invoices are contracted out to CSL Managed Services, which provides the Department's accounts services and similar services to a range of other public870W sector bodies. As procurement is an integral part of each management unit's activity, it is not possible to disaggregate the costs.