To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what average time his Department took to answer questions for (a) ordinary written answer and (b) written answer on a named day in the last 12 months. (313667)

In the calendar year 2009, the figures were six sitting days and five sitting days respectively.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers and officials take very seriously their responsibility to reply to parliamentary questions on time, and we have introduced new management and procedures which have improved our performance.

In December 2009, 90 per cent. of written answers were cleared for reply within five sitting days, and 75 per cent. of named day questions were cleared for reply on the specified date.