HL Deb 11 September 2003 vol 652 cc136-7WA
Lord Jopling

asked the Leader of the House:

What steps he is taking to reprimand the departments, including the Northern Ireland Office, which have failed to answer a total of 71 Written Questions on the first sitting day after the recess, bearing in mind that they have remained on the Order Paper for between seven weeks and 15 weeks, and that the target time for Answers is two weeks. [HL4362]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

I regret that not all of the Questions for Written Answer tabled before the Summer Recess have been answered.

I have today reviewed the outstanding questions with my ministerial colleagues and reminded them of the importance of prompt and accurate answers.

Lord Jopling

asked the Leader of the House:

Whether he will convene a meeting with the Prime Minister, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and that Department's Permanent Secretary to ensure that that Department's Answers to Written Questions are provided within the target period of two weeks, in view of the situation on 9 September when of the 71 Questions which had remained unanswered for more than seven weeks, 48 were for the Northern Ireland Office. [HL4411]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

I am pleased to inform the noble Lord that all of the 48 outstanding Questions have now been answered.

I would like to assure the noble Lord that the Northern Ireland Office recognises the importance of prompt and accurate Answers.

I have no intention of convening a meeting with the Prime Minister, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the Permanent Secretary.