HC Deb 07 March 2001 vol 364 c232W
Mr. Winnick

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if it is the practice of the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency to sign the substantive replies to hon. Members who have written to him on behalf of constituents. [152615]

Mr. Bayley

This is a matter for Alexis Cleveland, Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. She will write to my hon. Friend.

Letter from Alexis Cleveland to Mr. David Winnick, dated 6 March 2001: The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking if it is the practice of the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency to sign the substantive replies for honourable Members who have written to him on behalf of constituents. The commitments I have as Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency means that I am at several of the Agency's locations throughout the week and I am therefore not always able to personally sign the substantive replies to MP's letters. I sign in the region of 40% of the letters I receive from MPs each week. When I am unable to sign the reply myself, I ask a Director to sign on my behalf. I hope this is helpful.