§ Mr. Keith SimpsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the average time taken by him to sign off(a) policy papers and (b) correspondence from the date they are first submitted. [41845]
§ Mr. Robin CookI deal with policy papers and correspondence as soon as practicable. Whether that is as soon as the documents are submitted, or shortly thereafter, depends on my other commitments, including absence from the office overseas.
§ Mr. Keith SimpsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what papers, telegrams and correspondence submitted to him by his Department and placed in his red boxes are currently awaiting a decision after a period of two weeks. [41822]
§ Mr. Robin CookNone.