Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of invoices from small and medium-sized businesses were paid by his Department within five working days of receipt in the last 12 months for which figures are available.
Mr Simon Burns: The Department does not keep separate statistics in relation to small and medium-sized businesses, but aims to pay all invoices within five days regardless of the size of the supplier. Performance against that target is published on the Department's website as required by Cabinet Office.
www.dh.gov.uk/en/Aboutus/HowDHworks/Servicestandardsandcommitments/DH_1…
In the period 1 June 2010 to 31 May 2011 the Department paid 92.54% of all valid invoices received at our nominated address within five days of receipt.