§ Mr. WinnickTo ask the Prime Minister which Departments do not send out a ministerial reply to letters from hon. Members.
§ The Prime MinisterIt is for Ministers in each Department to decide the best way in which to reply to correspondence from hon. Members. Where the correspondence covers operational matters dealt with by an executive agency, the Minister may decide that it would be more appropriate and helpful for a reply to be sent by the agency chief executive, who has the detailed knowledge which the hon. Member is seeking, as well as the necessary258W delegated authority to take appropriate action. It is open to an hon. Member who is dissatisfied with a reply from an agency chief executive to raise the matter with the responsible Minister.