§ Mr. EadieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average time it takes each of his departmental Ministers to answer letters received from right hon. and hon. Members.
§ Mr. Lang[holding answer 22 February 1991]: Disproportionate costs would be incurred in the 384W preparation of an answer in the form requested. A survey carried out in my Department during a representative period in 1990 showed an average response time of 17 working days.