Oral Answers to Questions

Graham P Jones Excerpts

Thursday 8th May 2014 Commons Chamber

The Leader of the House was asked—

[Graham Jones (Hyndburn) (Lab)]

5. What discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Justice on the time taken by that Department to answer written parliamentary questions.

[The Deputy Leader of the House of Commons (Tom Brake)]

The Leader of the House often reminds ministerial colleagues of their obligations in regard to parliamentary scrutiny.

[Graham Jones]

On 10 March, I submitted to the Ministry of Justice a named day parliamentary question for written answer that—nine weeks later—is yet to be answered. On 26 March, some two weeks after the answer was due, I submitted a chase-up question to inquire when the original question would be answered. To date, neither of those questions has been answered. What is worse, my assistant in Westminster has telephoned the Department weekly, and each and every time he has been told that an answer is being finalised. I am concerned about the time taken for such questions to be answered. It makes it impossible for Members to hold the Executive to account, and it is a discourtesy to my constituents if Ministers simply do not answer these questions.

[Tom Brake]

I am aware of the hon. Gentleman’s question. Like other large Departments, the Ministry of Justice receives a very large number of questions, and given the complex nature of its business a thorough response can take time. However, I agree that in the case of his particular question, it is simply not good enough: there needs to be a response. I know that the Secretary of State for Justice will want to take on board the hon. Gentleman’s complaint, and that he will in future ensure that Members receive timely answers setting out the information they need.