§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Minister for the Civil Service if he will ensure that all parliamentary petitions presented by right hon. and hon. Members, which currently receive a standard format reply to the effect that the Department concerned has no observation to make, in future receive a full response; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LuceIn accordance with Standing Order No. 135, departmental observations in reply to petitions are not obligatory. It is accordingly for the appropriate Minister or Ministers concerned to decide whether any such observations are called for in response to a particular petition.