§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many officials he employed(a) full time and (b) part time in his Department in each of the last three years to answer letters sent to him from hon. Members; and what was the estimated overall cost of replying to them in each of the last three years. [5608]
§ Mr. Michael Forsyth[holding answer 18 December 1995]: Any letters from hon. Members are passed to the appropriate Department for reply and this is regarded as part of the normal duties of staff in the Scottish Office. It is not possible to say how many staff have been engaged in answering letters or to provide an estimated overall cost.