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<p>I have recently written to Lords ministers to reiterate the importance of providing
timely responses to select committee reports and I am assured that ministers are working
hard to ensure the Government 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. Sometimes a later timeframe is agreed with the committee
in question when it may be possible to give a fuller response at a later point. In
such instances the relevant government department will maintain contact with the relevant
select committee chairman and secretariat.</p><p>The Government values the work of
the select committees of this House, and understands the importance of proper engagement
with them. The House has the opportunity to consider Government responses alongside
the report at the point at which it is debated and I recognise the importance of having
sufficient time to consider it beforehand. This is an important way that the House
holds Government to account for the quality and timeliness of the response.</p>
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