Written question asked by Sandra Gidley (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 1 May 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 20 November 2003. It was answered by Ivor Caplin (Labour) on Thursday, 20 November 2003 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many acknowledgement letters and cards were dispatched by his Department in each year since 1997 for which figures are available; and what the estimated average cost was per letter and card. - Including figures. (Holding answer 8 May 2003).

Answer: Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many acknowledgement letters and cards were dispatched by his Department in each year since 1997 for which figures are available; and what the estimated average cost was per letter and card. [111870] Mr. Caplin: [holding answer 8 May 2003]: Details of the cost and number of acknowledgement letters and cards dispatched by the Ministry of Defence is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However the Department routinely sends a letter of acknowledgement for each piece of ministerial correspondence it receives. During the period 1 January 2003 to 31 October 2003, the MOD received 4,879 pieces of ministerial correspondence. The Cabinet Office, on an annual basis, publishes a report to Parliament on the volume of Members' correspondence received by Departments. The report for 2002 was published on 15 May 2003, Official Report, columns 18-21W. Copies of previous reports are available in the Library of the House.

Secondary information