§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Prime Minster what is the target time that each Government Department aims to take in replying to letters from right hon. and hon. Members and if he will give the reasons for variations; and if he will make a statement. [18987]
§ The Prime MinisterI refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Office of Public Service and Science, to the hon. Member for Chorley (Mr. Dover) on 18 April,Official Report, columns 21–24.
The nature of correspondence varies greatly between Departments. In some Departments, for example, a high proportion of correspondence requires reference to individual casework before a reply can be sent. Targets are set to reflect the particular circumstances of Departments and consequently target times may differ.