HC Deb 10 March 1997 vol 292 cc20-1W
Dr. Moonie

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) on how many occasions in the last three years a Secretary of State has failed to lay an annual report Parliament, in accordance with his or her statutory duty; and what action has been taken on each occasion; [19242]

(2) what is the maximum length of time which should elapse between the laying of annual reports before Parliament by a Secretary of State under a statutory duty; [19241]

(3) what exemptions apply to the statutory requirement of Secretaries of State to lay an annual report before Parliament. [19240]

Mrs. Angela Knight

Departmental reports for all the major Departments have been laid annually before Parliament in a timely manner since their inception in 1991. However, these reports are not laid under statute. If the hon. Member has other kinds of annual reports in mind, perhaps he would identify them.