To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what his Department’s average response time to a letter received from (a) an hon. Member and (b) a member of the public in each year since it was established. (251433)

The Cabinet Office, on an annual basis, publishes a report to Parliament on the performance of Departments in replying to Members correspondence. The report for 2007 was published on 20 March 2008, Official Report, columns 71-74WS. Information for 2008 is currently being collated and will be published as soon as it is ready. Reports for earlier years are available in the Library of the House.

With respect to correspondence from members of the public, the Department cannot provide the requested information within disproportionate costs limits, but we do aim to respond to all written correspondence within 15 working days. Statistics on the handling of letters from members of the public is published in the Department’s annual report.