§ Mr. BurnsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many named day written questions were tabled between 1 November 2001 and 26 March 2002; and how many that received a holding answer were given a substantive answer(a) within three days, (b) within seven days, (c) within 14 days, (d) within 28 days and (e) over 28 days; [52268]
(2) how many named day written questions were tabled between 1 November 2000 and 26 March 2001; and how many that received a holding answer were given a substantive answer (a) within three days, (b) within seven days, (c) within 14 days, (d) within 28 days and (e) over 28 days; [52269]
(3) how many named day written parliamentary questions tabled between (a) 1 November 2000 and 26 March 2001 and (b) 1 November 2001 and 26 March 2002 received (i) a substantive answer on the named day and (ii) a holding answer. [52270]
§ Ms Blears[holding answer 25 April 2002]: 1,887 named day written questions were tabled to this Department between 1 November 2001 and 26 March 2002. A manual count shows that around 50 per cent. received a holding reply.
985 named day written questions were tabled to this Department between 1 November 2000 and 26 March 2001. A manual count shows that around 45 per cent. received a holding reply.
The information on the current database does not support the further analysis sought, which could be obtained only by a manual count and which would incur a disproportionate cost. We are developing an improved database capable of providing more sophisticated analysis of information which should be introduced before the next parliamentary Session.