§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many officials he employed(a) full-time and 985W (b) part-time in his Department in each of the last three years to answer letters sent to him from hon. Members; and what was the estimated overall cost of replying to them in each of the last three years. [5612]
§ Mr. ArbuthnotNo member of staff is employed in my Department exclusively to answer letters sent to my right hon. Friend from hon. Members. Staff throughout the Department are involved in answering letters from hon. Members and others to my right hon. Friend. The overall cost of replying to such correspondence is not held centrally and could not be obtained without incurring disproportionate costs.