§ Mr. Speedasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proportion of letters to his Department from Members of Parliament is taking four weeks or more to answer; and what were the comparable figures for a year and two years ago.
§ Mr. EnnalsStatistics of this kind are not readily available and could not be obtained without disproportionate cost to the Department. However, a survey from January to May 1976 showed that 66 per cent. of letters were replied to within 20 working days.