§ Mr. Chopeasked the Secretary of State for Energy how many letters from hon. Members to his Department still
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1980 1981 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 EC countries Federal Republic of Germany 10 24 23 23 33 17 40 42 Netherlands — 11 10 2 — 2 4 3 Belgium 2 2 9 1 2 — 1 3 Irish Republic 24 6 7 4 1 1 3 — France — — — — — — 1 — Others — — — — — — — — Non-EC countries Australia 752 845 831 419 554 562 471 203 United States 334 1,148 1,202 969 502 241 491 721 Poland 18 238 79 111 — 6 63 73 South Africa 14 17 6 29 22 23 16 19 Canada — — — — — — — — Columbia — — — — — — — — USSR 10 12 18 5 — — — 34 German Democratic Republic — — — — — — — 1 China 32 17 18 — — 1 — — awaiting a substantive reply were received more than (a) one month ago, (b) two months ago, (c) three months ago and (d) four months ago; and, if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerIt is my aim that all letters from hon. Members to Ministers in my Department should be dealt with within two working weeks. This is achieved in the majority of cases, but is not always possible, for example where letters raise complex issues or where information needs to be sought from other bodies. There are currently 30 letters awaiting a reply which were received over a month ago, and none for any period of more than two months.