To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster pursuant to the answer of 27 June 2006, Official Report, column 315W, on correspondence, what estimate she has made of the cost of answering a question; and if she will make a statement. (82637)

It is not possible to separately identify the average cost of officials’ time in replying to letters from hon. Members and members of the public. Such correspondence is often of a varied and complex nature. Therefore any exercise to determine the average cost in officials’ time in responding to letters would incur disproportionate cost.

It is not possible to separately identify stationery and postage costs for the Department when replying to correspondence from hon. Members and members of the public.