§ Mr. ChopeTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many invoices the Ministerial Parliamentary72W Support team paid in 1999–2000; and what percentage of these were paid within 30 days of receipt or from the date a supplier dispute was resolved. 138400]
§ Ms HewittIn 1999–2000, 93 per cent. of invoices for expenditure incurred by the Department, including the Ministerial and Parliamentary Support Team, were paid within 30 days.
§ Mr. ChopeTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will explain the reasons for the shortfall in performance against his departmental target of paying 100 per cent. of all currently presented bills in 1999–2000 within 30 days of receipt of goods and services or a valid invoice. [138399]
§ Ms HewittThe Department has been introducing a Resource Accounting and Budgeting system, including a new electronic measure of the bills received and paid. The transition to the new system has temporarily affected the bill paying process across the Department.