To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many items of (a) external and (b) internal correspondence at the large processing offices of HM Revenue and Customs remain (i) unopened and (ii) unprocessed. (113761)

Correspondence received in the large processing offices at HMRC is opened on the day of receipt. HMRC have calculated that as at close of business on 5 January there were 356,429 items of external correspondence and 100,610 items of internal correspondence to be processed.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many days were lost through staff sickness at the offices of HM Revenue and Customs and the Inland Revenue in each of the last three years. (113763)

Details relating to staff sickness absence in these Departments for 2003 to 2005 can be found at:

www.civilservice.gov.uk/management/occupational_health/publications/index.asp

Data for 2006 are not yet available.