To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the policy of his Department on the timely payment of debts; and what is his Department's record on the payment of debts in the current financial year. [9531]

All departments are required to pay all their bills within agreed contract terms, or 30 days from receipt of the goods or service or a valid invoice,

I have been asked to reply.There have been no cost overruns to date on the contracts placed by English Partnerships for site clearance and infrastructure works for the Millennium Experience.