§ Mr. ChopeTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 16 October, Ref 36810, what reasons underlay the length of time needed to provide a substantive reply. [76176]
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§ Dr. MoonieI apologise for the lengthy delay in replying which was due to an administrative error.
§ Mr. YeoTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the written questions asked of him between(a) 1 to 30 June 2001, (b) 1 to 31 July 2001, (c) 1 to 30 September 2001, (d) 1 to 31 October 2001, (e) 1 to 30 November 2001, (f) 1 to 31 December 2001, (g) 1 to 31 January 2002, (h) 1 to 28 February 2002, (i) 1 to 31 March 2002 and (j) 1 to 30 April 2002 that had not received a substantive answer by 30 April; and if he will state (i) the name of the hon. Member asking the question and (ii) the reasons the question had not received a substantive answer. [54087]
§ Dr. Moonie[holding reply 2 May 2002]: The number of questions that have not received a substantive answer is set out in the table below.
Month No still to receive a substantive reply 1–20 June 2001 Nil 1–31 July 2001 1 1–30 September 2001 0 1–31 October 2001 2 1–30 November 2001 3 1–31 December 2001 1 1–31 January 2002 13 1–28 February 2002 25 1–31 March 2002 29 1–30 April 2002 11 Officials are working to provide substantive answers to the questions as soon as possible. In some cases the information is not immediately available in the form requested, and additional time is required to answer.
Ministers aim to answer named day written questions on the day named and ordinary written questions within five working days.
The name of the hon. Member asking the question could only be provided at disproportionate cost.