§ Mrs. RoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence at what stage(a) drafts and (b) copies of letters from chief executives of agencies within his responsibility, in response to parliamentary questions, are submitted to Ministers.
§ Mr. AitkenWhen agency chief executives write to a Member in response to a parliamentary question, which falls within their area of responsibility, they are authorised to do so direct and do not submit drafts to Ministers. A copy of the letter will be passed to the Minister's private office as it goes out.