§ Mr. CranTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many letters sent to him before 31 January from hon. Members have not been answered to date; and if he will make a statement. [43006]
Dr. John Cunningham[holding answer 21 May 1998]: The Department has 34 overdue letters from hon. Members, prior to 31 January, awaiting a substantive reply. These letters raise particularly complex issues requiring detailed inquiries before replying. All overdue letters are sent holding replies and interim replies where possible.
§ Mr. CranTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the most common factor underlying delays in his responses to letters from hon. Members of more than four months. [43007]
Dr. John Cunningham[holding answer 21 May 1998]: While every effort is made to ensure that all letters are dealt with within the target set by the Department, there are occasions when replies may be delayed owing to factors not necessarily within the Department's control.
§ Mr. CranTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his target period for replying to letters from hon. Members; and what is the percentage of occasions when the target is met. [43003]
Dr. John Cunningham[holding answer 21 May 1998]: The Department aims to reply to letters from hon. Members and Peers within 15 working days. MAFF received over 8,500 such letters in the 12 month period ending April 1998 and 70 per cent. of these received a reply within this target.