To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural 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. (226494)

Unless otherwise negotiated as part of contract agreement(s), DEFRA's standard terms of payment for all suppliers are the payment of valid and agreed invoices within 30 days of date of receipt. From information held centrally, and the core Department's financial system, prompt payment performance for the financial year 2007-08 for the core Department and those executive agencies for which information is held is as follows:

Information on the proportion of invoices for goods and services procured from small and medium-sized business paid within 30 days of receipt could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Information on the Rural Payments Agency prompt payment performance is being compiled and I will place this in the Library of the House when available.