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Ministry of Defence

Answer

Michael Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the average length of time was between the date of invoices issued to his Department from a supplier and payment by the Department of the invoice in the last 12 months for which figures are available; what percentage of these invoices were paid within 30 days of the date of issue of the invoice; what percentage of these invoices remained unpaid after 90 days; and if he will make a statement on the Department's policy on the payment of invoices issued to it. [200616] Mr. Caplin: The Ministry of Defence does not keep statistics on the average length of time taken to pay suppliers' invoices. The vast majority of invoices issued to the Ministry of Defence from suppliers are submitted directly to the Defence Bills Agency, Liverpool. In 2003-04, the Agency paid 99.98 per cent. of all valid bills within 11 calendar days of receipt. Only three invoices (out of the 4.9 million processed) took longer than 30 days, and none remained unpaid after 90 days. The Government are committed to improving the payment culture in the UK in order to create a fair and stable business climate. Government departments and their agencies should aim to pay all invoices not in dispute within 30 days or within the agreed contractual terms if otherwise specified. As you can see, the Department fully supports this policy.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

200616; 429 c835-6W;429 c839-40W

Session

2004-05

Subjects

Billing Government departments Payments Procurement Non-payment Ministry of Defence

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk