§ Mr. ChopeTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what percentage of correctly presented bills were paid by her Department in(a) 1998–99 and (b) 1999–2000 within 30 days of receipt of (i)goods and services, (ii) a valid invoice and (iii) other agreed payment terms. [130037]
467W
§ Clare ShortIn line with Treasury guidance my Department's standard payment terms commit us to paying bills within 30 days of receipt of the goods or services or the presentation of a valid invoice, whichever is the later. The percentage of invoices settled within the 30 day period during the last financial year was 96.8 per cent. The comparable figure for 1998–99 was 96.3 per cent. We do not generally enter into different payment terms.