§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average time his Department takes in replying to letters from right hon. and hon. Members; what is the(a) shortest and (b) longest time it has taken to reply in full in the last calendar year; and if he will make a statement. [18989]
§ Mr. LangMy Department has a target of replying to correspondence received from right hon. and hon. Members within 17 working days of receipt. The average time taken to reply to the 5,562 letters received during the 1994 calendar year was 19.6 working days. The shortest time taken to reply in full was one working day and the longest time was 92 working days.