asked the Minister for the Public Service if he is satisfied that communications from members of the public to Government Departments are adeqately and promptly dealt with; and, if not, if he has any proposal to remedy the situation.

Arrangements in Government Departments for the prompt discharge of business with members of the public are matters for the individual Ministers concerned. The role of the Minister for the Public Service is to ensure that general guidelines which appear appropriate are issued to Departments from time to time. The current guidelines emphasise the importance of replying with speed and clarity.

Does the Minister accept that these guidelines are not being observed?

No.

Do I take it the Minister's viewpoint is that communications from the public are replied to promptly by Departments?

Yes.

Surely from his own personal experience the Minister must be aware that is not so.

Almost by return post.

Unless there are special arrangements for dealing with the Minister's constituents, surely he must have received countless complaints from members of the public who wrote letters to Departments and got no replies.

Letters from the public, whether they are inquiries, complaints or applications are dealt with or acknowledged immediately unless the full reply takes a bit longer. They are acknowledged within a few days.

My personal experience does not bear that out.