To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many invoices submitted to his Department in the last month for which figures are available were paid within 10 days of receipt; and how many remained unpaid after 28 days. (242664)

During November 2008 the Department received 14,890 invoices, of which 14,663 were paid within 10 days this equates to 98.5 per cent.

Only 43 payments were made after 30 days and this equates to 0.29 per cent. The remaining 184 invoices (1.24 per cent.) were paid between 10 and 30 days.