§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many written parliamentary questions were tabled for answer by his Department in each of the past five years; how many of these were not answered because of the information(a) could be obtained only at disproportionate cost, (b) was not held centrally and (c) was not normally disclosed; how many of these could now be answered now due to computerisation, more effective and efficient operational systems or more open government; and if he will list each question along with the name and constituency of the right hon. or hon. Member who originally tabled it. [28507]
§ Sir John WheelerThe information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of parliamentary questions, which would have been answered directly by him or his Ministers prior to the establishment of executive agencies, are now referred to the chief executive of such an agency. [28488]
§ Sir John WheelerMinisters are accountable to Parliament for all matters concerning their agencies. Written parliamentary questions concerning matters 51W which have been delegated to the chief executive of an executive agency in its framework document, normally receive a reply from the Minister to the effect that he or she has asked the chief executive to reply direct to the Member by letter. The chief executive's letter is published in Hansard below the Minister's reply.