To ask the Secretary of Statefor the Home Department how many items of correspondence have been received by his Department since 5 May 2005; and what percentage of correspondence received in that period was answered within 15 days of receipt. (102023)

Between 5 May 2005 and 22 October 2006, the Home Office's correspondence tracking system shows that 120,219 items of correspondence were received. This number does not include letters or emails addressed to individuals by name, which are passed directly to the addressee for reply and are not recorded or managed on the central system. The number also excludes correspondence sent to the Identity and Passport Service since 1 April 2006; letters from members of the public to Immigration and Nationality Directorate and Her Majesty's Prison Service; or correspondence received as part of an organised campaign.

The following table gives a breakdown of the totals received in each month, and for each area of the Department for which records are held. In thecurrent calendar year 92 per cent. of ministerial correspondence received in the Home Office, not including IND and agencies, has been replied to within 15 working days—up from 78 per cent. in 2005.In October 2006, 97 per cent. of ministerial correspondence received by this central Home Office was replied to within 15 days. In all other areas, where the target is 20 working days, performance over the specified period was 81 per cent. The percentage of all correspondence answered in 15 working days was61 per cent.