§ Mrs. ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many questions were tabled for reply by his Department in each Session since 1979–80; in how many instances in each year the reply has been that providing the information involved disproportionate cost; and in how many instances in each year questions have been given the reply that the information was not available centrally. [16798]
§ Mr. HowardThe number of questions answered by the Home Office in each Session since 1982–83 is:
Session Written Oral (including supplementaries) Total 1982–83 1,471 260 1,731 1983–84 3,512 431 3,943 1984–85 3,092 367 3,459 1985–86 3,466 325 3,791 1986–87 2,005 223 2,228 1987–88 3,846 414 4,260 1988–89 3,549 274 3,823 1989–90 3,252 212 3,464 1990–91 2,245 238 2,483 1991–92 1,351 134 1,485 1992–93 4,345 361 4,706 1993–94 3,348 267 3,615 1994–95 3,187 278 3,465 1995–96 2,831 217 3,048 Figures for 1979–80 and 1981–82 are not available. The remainder of the information requested by the hon. Member could be provided only at disproportionate cost.