§ Baroness Hanhamasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why they did not respond until 17 December to the Written Question tabled by Baroness Hanham on 30 October regarding the numbers of Metropolitan Police between 1997 and date, when a similar question asked by Eric Pickles MP to the 79WA House of Commons Library received an almost instantaneous detailed answer on 5 December. [HL2090]
§ The Minister of State, Home Office (Lord Rooker)I apologise wholeheartedly to the noble Baroness for the delay in answering her Question of 30 October about Metropolitan Police numbers. This was caused, regrettably, by administrative errors and delays within the Home Office. Officials across the department have been reminded of the priority to be given to addressing parliamentary queries.