HC Deb 03 June 1985 vol 80 c3W
Mr. Peter Bruinvels

asked the Secretary of State for Transport 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.

Mr. Ridley

The information is as follows:

1983–84 Session 1984–85 Session to date
Holding replies 52 26
Percentage of total 4.76 4.10

In most cases where a holding reply is given it is because the detailed information requested is not readily available and would take longer to assemble than the time allowed.

Mr. Peter Bruinvels

asked the Secretary of State for Transport 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,.

Mr. Ridley

The information requested is as follows:

Oral Priority written written Total
1981–82 382 448 559 1,389
1982–83 234 384 445 1,063
1983–84 497 1,091 1,032 2,620
1984–85* 332 637 571 1,540
*7 November 1984–31 May 1985.

SourceDepartmental records.