To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 his Department has received from the Howard League for Penal Reform in the last 12 months; in respect of how many a substantive response has not been provided to date; what the date of the oldest such request is; and if he will make a statement. (259363)

The Ministry of Justice has received six requests from the Howard League for Penal Reform in the last 12 months. One—made in August 2008—remains outstanding. I can assure the hon. Member that this request is being treated with the utmost priority, and that the requester will receive a response in the near future.