[holding answer 12 June 2009]: The Department does not keep statistics on the average number of days taken to pay suppliers' invoices. This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
The Department is working towards payment performance within a target date of 10 working days in accordance with the Government's Prompt Payment Initiative. Information currently available for the Department, its agencies and trading funds since November 2008 is as follows:
MOD and agencies UKHO Met Office DSTL November 2008 72.3 — — 19.7 December 2008 85.0 — — 26.0 January 2009 80.0 — 55.5 46.0 February 2009 85.0 — 82.5 19.9 March 2009 90.7 94.7 86.2 38.3 April 2009 92.8 97.6 81.3 — May 2009 98.4 98.1 77.5 —
We are working with the Defence Support Group towards a target to pay trade creditors' invoices within 10 days of receipt.