HC Deb 11 December 1995 vol 268 cc469-70W
Mr. Donohoe

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many and what percentage of the calls made to the Scottish Office inquiry line since its establishment were on matters on which his Department(a) was competent and (b) not competent to deal with. [4452]

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

[holding answer 6 December 1995]: This information is not recorded but the inquiry officers consider that the majority of calls relate to matters for which the Scottish Office is responsible.

Mr. Donohoe

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement indicating for each calendar month since its establishment the number of calls made to the Scottish Office inquiry line and how many of these calls have been(a) interactive and (b) non-interactive. [4434]

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

[holding answer 6 December 1995]: The numbers of calls received are:

Year Number
1993
October 797
November 835
December 357
1994
January 211
February 239
March 199
April 220
May 308
June 315
July 305
August 341
September 334
October 372
November 396
December 354
1995
January 276
February 346
March 348
April 317
May 257
June 159
July 199
August 276
September 343
October 293
November 1337
1 To 24 November.

Information on types of calls is not recorded.

Mr. Donohoe

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much in total it has cost his Department to establish, publicise and operate the Scottish Office inquiry line; and what are the annual costs of this service. [4451]

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

[holding answer 6 December 1995]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the then Secretary of State for Scotland on 18 April 1995, Official Report, columns 79–80.