HL Deb 22 July 2002 vol 638 cc29-30WA
Lord Jopling

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What the problems were that resulted in the noble Lord, Lord Lipsey, having received no Answer to his Question for Written Answer which was put down on 14 January and still appears on the Order Paper 24 weeks later. [HL5084]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

The Question of the noble Lord, Lord Lipsey, has been answered today. The delay in answering this Question is totally unacceptable. It arose from a number of factors, including a delay in its allocation, changes in officials and the need to request information from all government departments and their agencies. My office and the House authorities have instituted changes since this Question was asked which should prevent such delays in future.

Lord Jopling

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What are the dates of correspondence, emails and telephone calls which have been made between parliamentary and government officials, including the titles of those both sending and receiving, in seeking a government reply to the Question for Written Answer put down by Lord Lipsey on 14 January and which remains on the Order Paper 24 weeks later. [HL5085]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

The Question of the noble Lord, Lord Lipsey, has been answered today. The delay in answering this Question is totally unacceptable. Numerous phone calls and emails went between my office and officials in parliamentary branches across Whitehall in seeking a reply to the Question. It is not possible to list all such contacts. I will in future be able to provide more detailed Answers to such Questions now that a new database has been installed in my office to track Answers to Written Questions.