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answer text |
<p>As Leader of the House I take very seriously the responsibility incumbent on all
Ministers to provide full, timely and comprehensible answers to Questions for Written
Answer (QWAs). My office immediately approaches departments who have not responded
to questions after 10 working days, and remains in contact with them until the questions
are answered.</p><p>I am informed that due to ongoing technical problems with software
used by the Home Office for processing answers to QWAs, the usual clearance process
has experienced delays since October which have caused a backlog. I have been assured
that steps have now been taken to safeguard against the problem reoccurring.</p><p>The
Ministry of Justice recognise recent reductions in performance with regard to QWA
responses, which I am informed is due to a reduction in resources as a result of
process and system changes. The Department has assured me that they have taken steps
to rectify this, including making further process improvements.</p><p>I have written
to the Secretaries of State for both Departments to stress the importance of providing
full and timely responses to QWAs and have written to my front bench team to reiterate
the House’s expectations in the light of recent performance.</p>
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