HL Deb 09 February 2005 vol 669 c113WA
Lord Jopling

asked the Leader of The House:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 20 January (WA 121), on how many days since 24 November 2004 have her officials contacted the Home Office to enquire why the Earl of Shrewsbury's Question for Written Answer has not received an answer nine weeks after it was tabled, when the target time for answers is two weeks; and what reasons have been given for the failure to answer. [HL1022]

The Lord President of the Council (Baroness Amos)

The detail requested in many Questions, including the one referred to by the noble Lord, can cause delays resulting in the target date not being met. I understand that the Home Office had considerable problems in obtaining the data requested and regrets that this led to a delay in providing an answer to the Question.

All government departments endeavour to respond within the target time, and my office tracks progress on a regular basis.

Lord Jopling

asked the Leader of The House:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 20 January (WA 121), why Questions were still awaiting answer on 25 January having been tabled between 24 November and 21 December 2004 when the target time for Answers is two weeks; and whether she will raise the issue at Cabinet. [HL1054]

Baroness Amos

There is currently one Question outstanding that was tabled between 24 November and 21 December. The department responsible (the Department for Trade and Industry) has committed to provide an Answer by the end of this week.

The detail requested in many Questions can cause a delay. Departments which had Questions tabled within this period noted that a number of them required considerable research. The Northern Ireland Office continues to receive a very high volume of detailed Questions, although all Questions received within the period in question have now been answered.

All government departments endeavour to respond within the target time, and my office tracks the progress made with departments. I do not intend to raise this matter with Cabinet, but I continue to raise it weekly with Front-Bench colleagues.