§ Mr. NellistTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many parliamentary questions for written answer have been answered by his Department so far in the current Session, and in the comparable period for the last Session; and if he will publish a table of how many answers(a) do not give the information requested because of (i) disproportionate cost or (ii) other reasons, (b) give an undertaking to write to the hon. Member who asked the question and (c) were referred for answer to the chief executive of a next steps agency.
§ Miss WiddecombeFrom the start of this Session to 17 July we answered 1,762 questions for written answer. By 17 July in the previous Session we had answered approximately 1,930. The information requested about answers is in the table.
Session to 17 July 1990–91 1989–90 Disproportionate cost 52 36 Other reasons1 77 141 Undertaking to write 5 3 Referred to agency chief executive 72 0 1 Most of these advise that "the information is not available". Referrals to information in the Library or previous answers are not included.