§ 2.51 p.m.
Baroness VICKERSMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
The Question was as follows:
To ask the Leader of the House whether he will ensure that Ministers and Government spokesmen reply more promptly to letters and to points raised in, but not answered at the time of, debate.
§ The LORD PRIVY SEAL (Lord Peart)My Lords, I can assure the noble Baroness, Lady Vickers, that Ministers and Government spokesmen are already aware of the need to reply promptly to letters and the points raised but not answered in debate. On occasion, however, some research and consultation are necessary before an answer can be given.
Baroness VICKERSMy Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that reply, may I ask whether he realises that following a debate in December I received no reply? On 14th February I wrote a letter asking for a reply and I did not even get an acknowledgment of my letter. I received no reply for three months. Surely that is far too long. The answer I received then was totally unsatisfactory.
§ Lord PEARTMy Lords, I am not worried about the answer so long as the noble Baroness gets one. I have sympathy with the noble Baroness. I can assure her that I am extremely anxious as the Leader of the House to keep the courtesies of the House in relation to debates; and, when a Minister says that he will take note and write, he should do so. Even I may have made mistakes in the past; but I am relatively new and I am learning. I am anxious to help the noble Baroness.
Lord INGLEWOODMy Lords, is the noble Lord aware that, even though his reply may reflect the general rule and the general intention, there are too many exceptions, as most noble Lords will bear out? Is he aware that I wrote to his right honourable friend the Home Secretary on 28th December and, after about five weeks, wrote a reminder? Following a further two weeks, I telephoned a reminder but I have not had a word in reply since.
§ Lord PEARTMy Lords, that is another matter. The Prime Minister is anxious that his collegues should answer promptly. There are problems of research; it depends on the question. I am sorry that that has happened; but, in view of the Question, I hope we will take note of the feelings of this House.
§ Lord DENHAMMy Lords, is the noble Lord the Leader of the House aware that this is particularly important where points are raised on a Committee stage? It is very important to have the answer available in time to make up one's mind as to what one will do on Report stage. Where the interval between Committee and Report is less than the recommended minimum, the answers should be correspondingly quicker.
§ Lord PEARTMy Lords, I accept that. I do not dissent.
§ Baroness SHARPLESMy Lords, is the noble Lord aware that the Minister who speaks for the Home Office in this House answers questions—certainly any that I have put to him—extremely promptly? I think other noble Lords find the same. I am extremely grateful for that.
§ Lord PEARTMy Lords, I am grateful for that. All Ministers are anxious to do their best for Members of both Houses, but difficulties do occur.
Earl ST. ALDWYNMy Lords, I appreciate the noble Lord's conciliatory attitude to this matter. But I hope that it does not mean that, when questions are asked in debate and the questioner is not in his place when the reply is given, he will receive a reply by letter. I think that would be a great mistake.