§ David DavisTo ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to reply to the question tabled on 6 March, ref 41373, by the right hon. Member for Haltemprice and Howden. [51815]
§ Jacqui SmithThe question was replied to on 25 April 2002,Official Report, column 455W.
§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Ellesmere Port and Neston (Mr. Miller) on 25 March 2002,Official Report, column 756W, on parliamentary questions, how much the investigation cost; what the Civil Service grade was of the civil servant who headed the investigation; how many civil servants were involved in the investigation; whether external consultants were involved in the investigation; and how many civil servants from other Departments were seconded to the investigation. [53324]
§ Ms Blears[holding answer 29 April 2002]: The investigation was carried out under the personal supervision of the Department's Director of Corporate Affairs and reported to the Permanent Secretary.
It was headed by a Senior Civil Servant supported by two other civil servants from the Department of Health.
No additional costs were incurred as these staff were temporarily redeployed on to these duties.
No external consultants were involved or any civil servants from other departments.
§ Mr. BurnsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he has taken to improve the answering of written parliamentary questions by his Department since 1 November 2001. [52271]
§ Ms Blears[holding answer 25 April 2002]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State (Mr. Milburn) gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Ellesmere Port and Neston (Mr. Miller) on 25 March 2002, Official Report, columns 756–59W.