§ Mr. Andrew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what targets his Department works to in answering letters(a) from hon. Members and (b) from the general public.
§ Mr. Alan HowarthThe Department aims to reply to correspondence(a) within three weeks, and (b) within four weeks of the date of receipt; and to provide an interim reply when a delay is anticipated, for instance in the large number of cases which require an inquiry of an outside body.