asked the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State answering in respect of the Arts if he will indicate the average time taken by the Office of Arts and Libraries to provide a substantive answer to letters from hon. or right hon. Members during the 12 months period to the latest available date.

This information is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. But the Office of Arts and Libraries aims to despatch a substantive answer to letters from right hon. and hon. Members within 10 working days of receipt; this target is achieved in most cases.