To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average cost to her Department was of replying to a letter written (a) by an hon. Member and (b) by a member of the public in the latest period for which figures are available, broken down into (i) officials' time, (ii) cost of stationery and (iii) postage costs. (80485)

The Cabinet Office, on an annual basis, publishes a report to Parliament on the performance of Departments in replying to Members/Peers correspondence. The report for 2005 was given in a written ministerial statement on 30 March 2006, Official Report, columns 76-78W.

The information requested is not recorded and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.