Written question asked by Baroness Bottomley of Nettlestone (Conservative) on Tuesday, 12 December 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 19 December 2000. It was answered by Graham Stringer (Labour) on Tuesday, 19 December 2000 on behalf of the Cabinet Office.

Cabinet Office

Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what her policy is on authorising ministers and officials to reply to letters from (a) privy councillors, (b) honourable Members and (c) members of the House of Lords; what distinction she makes between members of the opposition and Government supporters; and which categories of correspondents the Prime Minister replies to himself. - Including ref to Handing Correspondence from Members of Parliament: Guidance for Departments, in Library.

Answer: Mrs. Virginia Bottomley: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what her policy is on authorising ministers and officials to reply to letters from (a) privy councillors, (b) hon. Members and (c) members of the House of Lords; what distinction she makes between members of the opposition and Government supporters; and which categories of correspondents the Prime Minister replies to himself. [142980] Mr. Stringer: There are long-established conventions governing the handling of correspondence from Privy Councillors and Members of both Houses. These are set out in various guidance documents issued by the Cabinet Office. The most recent guidance document, "Handing Correspondence from Members of Parliament: Guidance for Departments", was published in July 2000. Copies have been placed in the Library of the House.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 360 c157W; 142980
Session: 2000-01
Subjects: Codes of practice Correspondence Members Ministers Peers Opposition
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk