asked the Prime Minister whether, in the light of the deterioration in the speed with which Departments reply to correspondence, causing a substantive reply to take at least three weeks and sometimes as long as 12 weeks, she will take steps to ensure that replies to hon. Members letters are provided more rapidly.

Some letters unavoidably take longer to receive a final reply, particularly where investigations have to be carried out, and when correspondence is very heavy. Ministers are well aware of the need to reply as rapidly as they can.