To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the average cost to his Department was of replying to a letter written by (a) an hon. Member and (b) a member of the public in the last period for which figures are available; and how much of that sum was accounted for by (i) officials’ time, (ii) cost of stationery and (iii) postage costs. (80511)

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 published on 30 March 2006, Official Report, columns 76-78WS.

The information requested is not held in the form requested.