Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what her Department's policy is on receiving letters in the Welsh language; and what her Department's deadline is for replying to letters written in the (a) Welsh and (b) English language.

DWP welcomes letters in Welsh. When someone writes to us in Welsh, we will issue a reply in Welsh (if a reply is appropriate).

The target time for replying to letters written in Welsh is the same as the target for letters written in English.

Complaints – 15 working days

MPs writing to Ministers – 20 working days

Correspondence relating to policies – within 4 weeks

Where it is not possible to issue a substantial reply in this time, a written acknowledgement and explanation will be sent in whichever language the correspondence has been received (Welsh or English).