HL Deb 09 May 2001 vol 625 cc205-6WA
Lord Barnett

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the average length of time they are taking to answer Questions for Written Answer, with particular reference to the Question for Written Answer (HL410) dated 18 January by Lord Barnett [HL987]

The Minister of State, Cabinet Office (Lord Falconer of Thoroton)

The length of time taken to reply to Questions for Written Answer varies from department to department and is not collated centrally. The length of time taken to answer HL 410 in the name of Lord Barnett was seven weeks.

Lord Pilkington of Oxenford

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the length of time they are taking to answer Questions for Written Answer, with especial reference to Question for Written Answer, HL381, dated 17 January, by Lord Shore of Stepney. [HL1437]

Lord Falconer of Thoroton

The length of time taken to reply to Questions for Written Answer varies from department to department, and is not collated centrally. The length of time taken to answer HL381 in the name of Lord Shore of Stepney was just under 10 weeks.

Lord Shore of Stepney

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When, in answering a Question for Written Answer, they are unable to reply within two weeks, what actions are triggered automatically within the relevant department to accelerate the necessary response; what contact is made with the Member who asked the Question; and what additional procedures are triggered after one month and two months' delay respectively. [HL1536]

Lord Falconer of Thoroton

When Questions for Written Answer are not answered within two weeks, a response is usually solicited from the relevant department by the Government Whips' Office in the House of Lords. The Government Whips' Office continue to solicit a response until one is received. This procedure is not dependent on specific deadlines such as one or two months, but is continuous. The contact which is made with the Member concerned varies from case to case, depending on the specific circumstances, but there is no automatic procedure to ensure that Members are contacted.