§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will make it his policy that hon. Members will continue to receive individually researched replies to their inquiries to Ministers; [35066]
(2) what representations he has received regarding the effectiveness of the pilot central correspondence section. [35067]
§ Mr. BurtAll letters from hon. Members receive an individual reply which answers their specific queries. There are no plans to change this level of service.
To my knowledge no representations have been received regarding the effectiveness of the pilot correspondence unit. However, as at 13 July 1995, 36 hon. Members have written requesting further information about the pilot unit following the circular letter issued by the general secretary of the National Union of Civil and Public Servants. Since the unit began operations in March this year, 2,356 replies have been issued to hon. Members. In addition, the unit has sent 1,995 replies direct to members of the public. There have been no complaints about the standard of these replies.
§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if it is his policy to provide standard replies to individual letters on behalf of constituents from hon. Members; and if he will make a statement; [35150]
(2) if he will make it his policy that hon. Members will continue to receive specific responses to individual inquiries relating to constituents' problems following the establishment of a central correspondence section. [35149]
§ Mr. BurtAll letters from hon. Members receive an individual reply which answers their specific queries. There are no plans to change this level of service.