To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much (a) his Department and (b) its agencies paid in interest to suppliers under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 in the last three years for which figures are available. (275201)

Details of all payments made in respect of interest to suppliers under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 for the three years ended 31 March 2009 are as follows.

Department of Health

Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency

No payments made in the period 1 April 2006 to 31 March 2009.

NHS Purchasing and Supplies Agency

No payments made in the period 1 April 2006 to 31 March 2009.