HC Deb 11 December 2002 vol 396 cc365-6W
Mr. Kaufman

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) when he intends to reply to the letter to him dated 27 September from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Winston Frank Tracey; [81711]

(2) when he intends to reply to the letter to him dated 27 September from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Winston Frank Tracey; [83427]

(3) when he intends to reply to the letter to him dated 27 September from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton, with regard to Winston Frank Tracey. [85143]

Beverley Hughes

I wrote to my right hon. Friend on behalf of my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary on 10 December 2002.

Sir Teddy Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when his Department will answer the hon. Member for Rochford and Southend, East's letter of 26 May, about Mr. Ahmed, reference A1031630; and if he will make a statement on the volume of correspondence received by his Department. [83901]

Beverley Hughes

[holding answer 5 December 2002]I wrote to the hon. Member on 10 December 2002. I am sorry for the delay in replying.

The Home Department receives large amounts of correspondence from hon. Members, right hon. Friends, hon. Friends and members of the public.

The number of letters received from members of the public between April 2002 and the end of October 2002 was 26,460. The volume in the previous full financial year 2001–02 was 35,549. Public volume figures exclude letters relating to immigration and nationality matters.

In addition the number of replies sent to ministerial correspondence between April 2002 and the end of October 2002 was 12,110. The total volume for the previous full financial year 2001–02 was 21,099.

We aim to send a substantive reply to all letters as soon as possible. I am determined to achieve a high level of performance in dealing quickly with correspondence and to deliver a greater standard of service to all Members of Parliament and the public.