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Departmental Payments

Volume 270: debated on Monday 29 January 1996

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To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions his Department has held with other Government Departments following the publishing of the figures showing percentages of hills paid late in 1994–95. [12224]

My hon. Friend the Economic Secretary to the Treasury is responsible for issuing guidance on monitoring methods and payment policies to Government Departments.As Minister for Small Business, I have also stressed the importance of prompt payment at meetings with all the small firms Ministers across the Government and shall continue to do so.In addition, this Department has substantially improved its payment performance over the past year. I recognise the need to build on this improvement and this Department will re-examine payment procedures and checking systems will be made even more comprehensive.