To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of invoices for goods and services procured from small and medium-sized businesses were paid within 30 days of receipt by (a) his Department and (b) the agencies for which his Department is responsible in 2007-08; and if he will make a statement. (226489)

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not differentiate its suppliers by size, so we are not able to provide the information requested.

Of the invoices received, for goods and services procured from all suppliers in 2007-08, 93.1 per cent. were paid by the FCO and its agency FCO services and 98.3 per cent. were settled by Wilton Park, another agency of the FCO, within 30 days of receipt.