HC Deb 25 March 2004 vol 419 cc1045-6W
Mr. Brady

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 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. [155914]

Yvette Cooper

The effective handling of parliamentary questions is an issue to which my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister and ministerial colleagues attach great importance. In the Session 2002–03, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister answered 72.3 per cent. of its Ordinary Written Questions on time. The information requested is not held in the form requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.