To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many (a) letters and (b) e-mails received by his Department had not been responded to as at 15 December 2008. (244709)

The Cabinet Office publishes an annual report to Parliament on the performance of Departments in replying to letters from Members and Peers. Information relating to 2008 will be published as soon as it has been collated.

In respect of e-mails received by DFID, it is not possible to provide this information without incurring disproportionate cost.

DFID also publishes information on letters and e-mails from members of the public and organisations in its Annual Report. Information relating to 2007 is available to view in section 10.12 at:

http://www.dfid.gov.uk/Pubs/files/departmental-report/2008/Chapter10.pdf