§ Mr. MeacherTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proportion of correspondence received by(a) his Department and (b) each of his Department's agencies receives (i) an acknowledgement within five days and (ii) a substantive reply within 15 days.
§ Mr. AncramInformation regarding general correspondence could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
It is no longer standard practice to acknowledge incoming correspondence. Information in respect of ministerial correspondence for the Northern Ireland Office and NI Departments can be obtained from chart 11.4 of the Northern Ireland expenditure plans and priorities, a copy of which is held in the Library. My right hon. Friend will write to the hon. Member about correspondence received by departmental agencies.