§ Dr. WrightTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister if answers sent to hon. Members in reply to parliamentary questions by the head of executive agencies in his Department are(a) seen, (b) approved and (c) amended by him before they are sent; and if he will identify such letters to which amendments by him have been made in 1994–95. [7823]
§ Mr. WillettsParliamentary questions are passed to the head of an executive agency for reply when the matter is one delegated to him or her under the agency framework document. The relevant Minister may see a copy of the reply before it is sent, but would not normally intervene in operational matters.
Ascertaining whether any letters since 1994–95 have been amended could be done only at disproportionate cost.