§ Lord Joplingasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will send outside advisers into the Department of Health to give advice on how to answer Questions for Written Answer within the standard period of two weeks, bearing in mind that the department has three outstanding Questions not answered within that period; and [HL2047]
12WAWhy the Department of Health answered HL1249 on 5 March, six weeks after it was tabled on 22 January, bearing in mind that the standard period for answering questions is two weeks. [HL2048]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathThe Department of Health answers the greater majority of the Questions it receives for Written Answer within the 14-day time-scale. I take very seriously the requirement to adhere to this standard period.
I regret that three Questions did not receive replies within the two-week period. All of these were answered on 5 March.