HC Deb 25 February 1999 vol 326 c433W
Mr. Field

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportions of written parliamentary questions for answer on a named day have been given substantive answers on that day in the current session. [73122]

Mr. Timms

In the current Parliamentary year we have received 360 Parliamentary Questions for answer on a named day, of these 331 (92 per cent.) were given a substantive answer.

This Department aims to give a holding reply to no more than 10 per cent. of all Parliamentary Questions for answer on a named day. However where detailed work has to be carried out by the Department's analytical branches or the Government's Actuary Department a full response cannot always be provided in the time allowed.