§ Mr. David YoungTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security since 18 June 1989, how many communications he has received from Members of the European Parliament that concern local or United684W Kingdom matters; and if he will make it his practice where such matters are involved to provide the hon. Member for the local constituency with a copy of the correspondence and the reply for information.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardWe have received 47 letters from MEPs since June 1989. Although MEPs have no locus in respect of exclusively domestic United Kingdom matters, our practice is to reply in full to the MEP, to avoid delay for the constituent concerned. We do not copy correspondence to third parties unless the recipient has specifically requested that we do so.