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<p>The Department has a target of responding within 18 working days where a response
is required. In 2019 the Department responded to 94% of correspondence from hon. Members
within 18 working days, and 89% in 2018. A breakdown of the data by month is available
in the attached table.</p><p>As you will understand, the Department is currently dealing
with unprecedented volumes of correspondence due to COVID-19. The Department ensures
that urgent cases raised by hon. Members are prioritised wherever possible, and is
taking steps to provide substantive responses in as short a time as possible.</p><p>All
correspondence received from hon. Members is being reviewed and will be responded
to as soon as possible.</p>
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