{ "format" : "linked-data-api", "version" : "0.2", "result" : {"_about" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?answeringDeptSortName=Leader+of+the+House+of+Lords&max-date=2017-10-30", "definition" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/meta/answeredquestions.text?answeringDeptSortName=Leader+of+the+House+of+Lords&max-date=2017-10-30", "extendedMetadataVersion" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?answeringDeptSortName=Leader+of+the+House+of+Lords&max-date=2017-10-30&_metadata=all", "first" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?_page=0&answeringDeptSortName=Leader+of+the+House+of+Lords&max-date=2017-10-30", "hasPart" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?answeringDeptSortName=Leader+of+the+House+of+Lords&max-date=2017-10-30", "isPartOf" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?answeringDeptSortName=Leader+of+the+House+of+Lords&max-date=2017-10-30", "items" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/777534", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Leader of the House of Lords"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/777534/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The Government values the work of the select committees of this House, and understands the importance of proper engagement with that work. Therefore the Government aims to respond to reports within two months of their publication. However, sometimes circumstances dictate that it will not be possible to provide a response within this timeframe. In such instances the relevant government department will maintain contact with the relevant select committee chairman and secretariat.<\/p>

I have written to Lords ministers to reiterate the importance of providing timely responses to select committee reports. There are currently 15 government responses that have not been received by the relevant select committees within the two-month period. I am assured that ministers are working hard to ensure outstanding responses are issued as soon as possible.<\/p>

Data on response times is made available by the Committee Office but has not been routinely collected for the years requested. However, as a member of the Liaison Committee, I welcome the fact that, since the 2014-15 session, government response dates have been published in the Liaison Committee\u2019s annual reports. Links to the reports containing the information for the most recent three sessions are set out below.<\/p>

Session 2016-17: https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201719/ldselect/ldliaison/13/13.pdf
<\/a><\/strong>Session 2015-16:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201617/ldselect/ldliaisn/26/26.pdf
<\/a><\/strong>Session 2014-15:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201516/ldselect/ldliaison/5/5.pdf<\/a><\/strong><\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4329", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Evans of Bowes Park"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Evans of Bowes Park"} , "attachment" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/777534/answer/attachment/1", "fileName" : {"_value" : "2014-15 Liaison Committee.pdf"} , "title" : "Session 2014-15"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/777534/answer/attachment/2", "fileName" : {"_value" : "2015-16 Liaison Committee.pdf"} , "title" : "Session 2015-16"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/777534/answer/attachment/3", "fileName" : {"_value" : "2016-17 Liaison Committee.pdf"} , "title" : "Session 2016-17"} ], "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-11-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "HL2539"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-11-07T16:15:43.707Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "92"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : ""} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Leader of the House of Lords"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2017-10-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "House of Lords: Select Committee Reports"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Leader of the House what plans she has to improve the timeliness and quality of Government responses to reports from House of Lords Select Committees and Joint Select Committees of both Houses.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3187", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Norton of Louth"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Norton of Louth"} ], "uin" : "HL2538"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/777535", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Leader of the House of Lords"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/777535/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The Government values the work of the select committees of this House, and understands the importance of proper engagement with that work. Therefore the Government aims to respond to reports within two months of their publication. However, sometimes circumstances dictate that it will not be possible to provide a response within this timeframe. In such instances the relevant government department will maintain contact with the relevant select committee chairman and secretariat.<\/p>

I have written to Lords ministers to reiterate the importance of providing timely responses to select committee reports. There are currently 15 government responses that have not been received by the relevant select committees within the two-month period. I am assured that ministers are working hard to ensure outstanding responses are issued as soon as possible.<\/p>

Data on response times is made available by the Committee Office but has not been routinely collected for the years requested. However, as a member of the Liaison Committee, I welcome the fact that, since the 2014-15 session, government response dates have been published in the Liaison Committee\u2019s annual reports. Links to the reports containing the information for the most recent three sessions are set out below.<\/p>

Session 2016-17: https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201719/ldselect/ldliaison/13/13.pdf
<\/a><\/strong>Session 2015-16:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201617/ldselect/ldliaisn/26/26.pdf
<\/a><\/strong>Session 2014-15:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201516/ldselect/ldliaison/5/5.pdf<\/a><\/strong><\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4329", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Evans of Bowes Park"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Evans of Bowes Park"} , "attachment" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/777535/answer/attachment/1", "fileName" : {"_value" : "2014-15 Liaison Committee.pdf"} , "title" : "Session 2014-15"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/777535/answer/attachment/2", "fileName" : {"_value" : "2015-16 Liaison Committee.pdf"} , "title" : "Session 2015-16"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/777535/answer/attachment/3", "fileName" : {"_value" : "2016-17 Liaison Committee.pdf"} , "title" : "Session 2016-17"} ], "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-11-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "HL2538"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-11-07T16:15:43.787Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "92"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : ""} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Leader of the House of Lords"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2017-10-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "House of Lords: Select Committee Reports"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Leader of the House how many reports from House of Lords Select Committees and Joint Select Committees of both Houses published between August 2010 and August 2017 did not receive Government responses within a period of two months; and how many of those reports have yet to receive a Government response.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3187", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Norton of Louth"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Norton of Louth"} ], "uin" : "HL2539"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/773564", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Leader of the House of Lords"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/773564/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The Joint Committee on Human Rights has now been appointed. The Lords membership was agreed by the House on Wednesday 19 July. The House of Commons agreed its members of the Joint Committee on Monday 30 October. The appointment of Commons Members is a matter for the House of Commons.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4329", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Evans of Bowes Park"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Evans of Bowes Park"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-10-31", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-10-31T17:55:28.497Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "92"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : ""} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Leader of the House of Lords"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2017-10-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Human Rights Joint Select Committee"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Leader of the House what are the reasons for the delay in establishing the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/2037", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Lester of Herne Hill"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Lester of Herne Hill"} ], "uin" : "HL2279"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/758575", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Leader of the House of Lords"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/758575/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

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).<\/p>

<\/strong><\/p>

In this instance I am informed by the Department that delays to five of these late responses were as a result of administrative errors. I have been advised that these issues have now been identified and resolved. I have been reassured that the Secretary of State takes this seriously and that he has made clear to officials that it is essential it does not happen again. The members concerned were contacted by the Department to apologise for the delay and these questions have now been answered.<\/p>

<\/strong><\/p>

With regard to question number HL1066 from Lord Pearson of Rannoch, this remained unanswered by 6 September due to an error with IT systems maintained by the House which meant that it was not allocated to the correct department. The technical issue which was causing problems with transfers and amendments has now been resolved and the question has now been answered.<\/p>

<\/strong><\/p>

My office will continue to work with all departments to ensure prompt and satisfactory answers to QWAs.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4329", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Evans of Bowes Park"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Evans of Bowes Park"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-09-14", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-09-14T11:14:28.06Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "92"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : ""} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Leader of the House of Lords"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2017-09-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Department for Communities and Local Government: Written Questions"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Leader of the House what explanation, if any, she has received from the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government as to why six questions for written answer tabled on or before 19 July had not been answered by 6 September; and when she expects those questions to be answered.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/883", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Jopling"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Jopling"} ], "uin" : "HL1446"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/679316", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Leader of the House of Lords"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/679316/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

As detailed in my previous answer (HL4521), I have recently written to Lord Keen of Elie QC and the Secretary of State for Justice to make clear the House\u2019s expectations with regards to Questions for Written Answer. I am informed that the Ministry of Justice has taken steps to rectify the issue, including making further process improvements, for example reducing the internal deadlines to allow more time for clearance. Lord Keen of Elie QC has also had discussions with senior officials within the Department about its recent performance. The Ministry of Justice has now cleared all overdue Questions for Written Answer, including HL3278, which was answered on 30 January 2017.<\/p>

My office will continue to work with all departments to ensure prompt and satisfactory answers to Questions for Written Answer.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4329", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Evans of Bowes Park"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Evans of Bowes Park"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-02-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-02-08T17:44:21.9Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "92"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : ""} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Leader of the House of Lords"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2017-01-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Ministry of Justice: Written Questions"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Leader of the House, further to her Written Answer on 23 January (HL4521), whether the shortage of resources within the Ministry of Justice will be resolved in time for the outstanding Question for Written Answer tabled on 16 November (HL3278) to be answered before the end of February.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/883", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Jopling"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Jopling"} ], "uin" : "HL5030"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/671118", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Leader of the House of Lords"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/671118/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

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>

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>

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\u200b \u200bas \u200ba 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>

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\u2019s expectations in the light of recent performance.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4329", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Evans of Bowes Park"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Evans of Bowes Park"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-01-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-01-23T15:09:22.54Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "92"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : ""} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Leader of the House of Lords"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2017-01-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Written Questions"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Leader of the House whether the failure on 10 January of the Home Office and the Ministry of Justice to answer Questions for Written Answer which had been tabled in November 2016 was in part due to those departments not being fully staffed to normal levels in the days following the bank holiday on 2 January.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/883", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Jopling"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Jopling"} ], "uin" : "HL4521"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/657749", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Leader of the House of Lords"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/657749/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

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. This is something I stress regularly to frontbench colleagues and which I will certainly reiterate in the light of the Noble Lord\u2019s question. My office also engage regularly with private offices and Parliamentary teams when issues arise, both proactively and in response to concerns raised by individual members. It is for Ministers, though, to be directly accountable for the content of their answers, which is why I fully support the rule that Ministers must personally sign all answers to members of the House of Lords.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4329", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Evans of Bowes Park"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Evans of Bowes Park"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2016-12-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2016-12-20T17:18:58.72Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "92"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : ""} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Leader of the House of Lords"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2016-12-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Written Questions"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Leader of the House what arrangements are in place to ensure that, in answering Questions for Written Answer, government departments are, as required by the Ministerial Code, \"accurate and truthful\" and as \"open as possible\" in the answers they provide to members of the House of Lords; whether she has put in place a system to provide quality assurance of the answers provided by government departments to members of the House of Lords; and if so, what..", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/2671", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Harris of Haringey"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Harris of Haringey"} ], "uin" : "HL4068"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/582663", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Leader of the House of Lords"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/582663/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The Lord Privy Seal (Baroness Evans of Bowes Park):<\/strong><\/p>

I regularly stress to departments the importance of giving timely answers to Questions for Written Answer. My office immediately approach departments who have not responded to questions after 10 working days, and remain in contact with them until the questions are answered. This process has been followed in both of the cases to which the noble Lord refers.<\/p>

In the case of the Ministry of Justice question, I am informed that the delay related the process of transferring it to the right department for response. After discussion it was transferred to the Cabinet Office, who will provide a substantive answer by close of play this week. As regards the Department for Education questions, I am informed that the delay related to gathering complex data spanning a long period and the need to obtain clearance from across government. Both of the questions concerned have now been answered.<\/p>

Regarding timely replies more generally, I have recently written to the three departments with the greatest proportion of late responses in the last session and I regularly set out the House\u2019s expectations as they apply to QWAs to my frontbench team. Notwithstanding the cases referenced above, I am pleased to say that the proportion of on-time responses from the Ministry of Justice rose from 74% of questions in 2014-15 to 87% in 2015-16; while the Department for Education answered well over 90% of questions on time in both sessions.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4329", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Evans of Bowes Park"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Evans of Bowes Park"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2016-09-27", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2016-09-27T15:42:54.783Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "92"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : ""} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Leader of the House of Lords"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2016-09-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Ministry of Justice: Written Questions"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Leader of the House what explanation she has received from the Ministry of Justice concerning its failure to answer by 9 September a Question for Written Answer that was asked on 20 July (HL1379).", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/883", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Jopling"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Jopling"} ], "uin" : "HL1846"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/582664", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Leader of the House of Lords"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/582664/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The Lord Privy Seal (Baroness Evans of Bowes Park):<\/strong><\/p>

I regularly stress to departments the importance of giving timely answers to Questions for Written Answer. My office immediately approach departments who have not responded to questions after 10 working days, and remain in contact with them until the questions are answered. This process has been followed in both of the cases to which the noble Lord refers.<\/p>

In the case of the Ministry of Justice question, I am informed that the delay related the process of transferring it to the right department for response. After discussion it was transferred to the Cabinet Office, who will provide a substantive answer by close of play this week. As regards the Department for Education questions, I am informed that the delay related to gathering complex data spanning a long period and the need to obtain clearance from across government. Both of the questions concerned have now been answered.<\/p>

Regarding timely replies more generally, I have recently written to the three departments with the greatest proportion of late responses in the last session and I regularly set out the House\u2019s expectations as they apply to QWAs to my frontbench team. Notwithstanding the cases referenced above, I am pleased to say that the proportion of on-time responses from the Ministry of Justice rose from 74% of questions in 2014-15 to 87% in 2015-16; while the Department for Education answered well over 90% of questions on time in both sessions.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4329", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Evans of Bowes Park"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Evans of Bowes Park"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2016-09-27", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2016-09-27T15:43:05.243Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "92"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : ""} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Leader of the House of Lords"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2016-09-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Department for Education: Written Questions"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Leader of the House what explanation she has received from the Department for Education concerning its failure to answer by 9 September two Questions for Written Answer that were asked on 19 July (HL1338) and 21 July (HL1440).", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/883", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Jopling"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Jopling"} ], "uin" : "HL1847"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/581661", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Leader of the House of Lords"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/581661/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The business of the House is scheduled in a way which allows for periodic adjournments, including at half-term. This is the case because many of its members have family or other outside commitments away from the House, in many cases away from London. The House of Commons has a similar pattern of adjournments.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4329", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Evans of Bowes Park"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Evans of Bowes Park"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2016-09-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2016-09-20T12:36:28.853Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "92"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : ""} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Leader of the House of Lords"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2016-09-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "House of Lords: Recess"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Leader of the House why there are half-term recesses for the House of Lords.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/950", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Stoddart of Swindon"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Stoddart of Swindon"} ], "uin" : "HL1797"} ], "itemsPerPage" : 10, "next" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?_page=1&answeringDeptSortName=Leader+of+the+House+of+Lords&max-date=2017-10-30", "page" : 0, "startIndex" : 1, "totalResults" : 52, "type" : ["http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#ListEndpoint", "http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#Page"]} }