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<p>As Leader of the House, I regularly stress to departments the importance of giving
full and timely answers to Questions for Written Answer. The content of each answer
is a matter for the Minister concerned, and each Minister is responsible to the House
for the answers they provide. That direct accountability is important: that is why
Ministers in this House must provide personally signed answers to members.</p><p>The
Ministerial Code says that “It is of paramount importance that Ministers give accurate
and truthful information to Parliament”. It also makes clear that “Ministers should
be as open as possible with Parliament and the public, refusing to provide information
only when disclosure would not be in the public interest”. In addition, there is a
longstanding rule of this House that all answers should be complete and comprehensible.
I shall continue to make this guidance clear to all Ministers.</p>
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