§ Mr. BradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many days on average his Department took in Session 2002–03 to give a substantive answer to a parliamentary question for ordinary written answer; and what the greatest number of days taken to answer such a question was. [155922]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonThe average time take to answer an ordinary written parliamentary question in the 2002–03 session was 12 working days. The greatest number of days taken to answer such a question was 127 working days.
The Department strives to answer hon. and right hon. Members' questions in a timely and helpful fashion and is currently seeking to improve performance.