HC Deb 03 June 1985 vol 80 cc1-2W
Mr. Peter Bruinvels

asked the Attorney-General how many and what percentage of the questions set down on the Order Paper for priority written answer by him in (a) Session 1983–84 and (b) the current Session to date have initially received a holding reply.

The Attorney-General

I and the Solicitor-General gave six holding replies to priority written questions tabled for answer by me in Session 1983–84 and four holding replies to such questions during the current Session (to May 1985). This is 4.6 per cent. and 4.7 per cent. respectively of the total number of priority written questions tabled for answer by me in those sessions.

Mr. Peter Bruinvels

asked the Attorney-General how many parliamentary questions have been answered by Ministers in his Department in each of the last three complete Sessions, and the current Session to date; if he will break these figures down into questions tabled as oral questions, priority written questions and ordinary written questions, respectively; and if he will make a statement.

The Attorney-General

The information requested is shown in the following chart.

Parliamentary questions answered by the Attorney-General or the Solicitor-General (Information based on Departmental records)
Session 1981–82 Session 1982–83 Session 1983–84 Current Session (to 24 May)
Oral 55 31 75 39
Priority written 71 54 130 85
Ordinary written 169 109 216 96

Sir William van Straubenzee

No priority written questions have received holding replies.

Mr. Peter Bruinvels

asked the right hon. Member for Wokingham, as representing the Church Commissioners, how many parliamentary questions have been answered by him in each of the last three complete Sessions, and the current Session to date; if he will break down these figures into questions tabled as oral questions, priority written questions and ordinary written questions, respectively; and if he will make a statement.

Sir William van Straubenzee

The total number of parliamentary questions asked during the last three complete Sessions, and the current Session (up to May 1985) are, with the classifications requested, as follows:

Note—The figures relate to questions tabled for answer by the Attorney-General but do not include questions withdrawn or transferred

*The numbers given are the numbers of oral questions tabled whether or not they were reached. They do not include supplementarie..

†Where a written or a priority written question was initially given a holding reply and later a substantive reply, this has been counted as a single question and answer.