HC Deb 29 April 2002 vol 384 cc557-8W
Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 26 March 2002,Official Report, column 983W, on target times for correspondence, in what proportion of cases in 2001–02 letters from (a) hon. Members and (b) members of the public were answered within 15 working days. [50339]

Dr. Whitehead

Information is published annually by the Cabinet Office on the volume of correspondence from Members of Parliament received by Ministers and Agency Chief Executives; Departments' and Agencies' handling targets; and their performance in meeting these targets.

Performance in handling correspondence from members of the public is collated internally each quarter. For the period 1 April 2001 to 31 December 2001 the Department's records show that it answered 99 per cent. of letters from the public within 15 working days. Figures for the final quarter of 2001–02 have not yet been collated.