HC Deb 10 December 2001 vol 376 cc707-8W
Annabelle Ewing

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of parliamentary questions replied to by his Department were the subject of a holding answer in the last three Sessions of Parliament. [22025]

Mr. Blunkett

In the last three parliamentary Sessions, 4,749 named day parliamentary questions (the only type for which holding replies are used) have been tabled to the Home Office. Of these, 1,015—or 21 per cent—were given a holding answer. The figures for each session are given in the table.

Session Percentage of answers given Session holding replies
1998–99 15
1999–2000 21
2000–01 30

Mrs. Lait

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the question from the hon. Member for Beckenham of 14 November (ref. 16179) [21661]

Mr. Blunkett

I am replying to the question from the hon. Member today. I apologise for the delay.