HC Deb 11 January 1996 vol 269 c326W
Dr. Wright

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if answers sent to hon. Members in reply to parliamentary questions by the head of executive agencies in his Department are(a) seen, (b) approved and (c) amended by him before they are sent; and if he will identify such letters to which amendments by him have been made in 1994–95.

Mr. Burt

Parliamentary questions are passed to the head of an executive agency for reply when the matter is one delegated to him or her under the agency framework document. The relevant Minister sees a copy of the reply before it is sent, but would not normally intervene in operational matters. No record is kept of any amendments suggested by Ministers.