§ Mr. BradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many days on average his Department took in Session 2002–03 to give a substantive answer to a parliamentary question for ordinary written answer; and what the greatest number of days taken to answer such a question was. [155931]
§ Mrs. McGuireWhile records on average processing times for parliamentary questions are not collected, the Department answered approximately 70 per cent. of its Session 2002–03 ordinary written questions on time (five sitting days). Ministers attach great importance to Parliamentary Questions and endeavour to reply within the parliamentary deadlines wherever possible.