asked Her Majesty's Government:

What steps the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has taken to ensure that Ministers answer Questions for Written Answer within the two-week target; and why the department had 19 late unanswered Questions on 7 October of which nine were between 12 and 16 weeks late. [HL5491]

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is in the process of introducing an improved system for the processing of Parliamentary Questions, which will help ensure we provide a reply within the two-week target.

A number of Answers to Parliamentary Questions have been delayed recently due to administrative error, and will be given shortly.

I apologise for the delay.