GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TIME TO HONOURABLE MEMBERS CORRESPONDENCE

Motion Text

That this House notes with regret that an honourable Member's letter to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on behalf of a constituent, dated 16th August 1999, only received a reply dated 31st January 2000; notes that the record of Labour Ministers in taking so long to reply to letters has become a widespread disgrace amounting to a contempt for the accountability of the executive to the House of Commons; and calls on the Labour Government to improve its practices and show a proper respect for the democratic process.