§ Mr. LathamTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will give the reasons why he was unable to reply until 14 June to the priority written questions about community charge rebates tabled by the hon. Member for Rutland and Melton for answer on 23 May; and what steps he takes to ensure that answers are provided on the day selected by an hon. Member for priority answer.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardAll questions for priority written answer by this Department are answered on the specified day, although some may not receive a full reply on that day. Out of over 1,000 questions tabled for priority written answer this Session, fewer than 150 have been given holding replies: these are given only where the information requested is so detailed or complex that a full reply cannot be provided in the time allowed by the hon. Member concerned. Neither of the questions on community charge rebates tabled by my hon. Friend for answer on 23 May was straightforward. A costing was made as quickly as possible in reply to one question. In the case of the other question, detailed consideration led to the conclusion that no estimate was possible.