Asked by: Lord Maginnis of Drumglass (Independent Ulster Unionist - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the total number of postal votes issued in (1) England, (2) Scotland, (3) Wales, and (4) Northern Ireland, for each general election from 2010 to 2017; and what were the comparative (a) percentages of the total poll in each of the four UK electoral areas, and (b) percentage increases in each region, at each general election.
Answered by Lord Young of Cookham
The Government does not hold this information. The data required is provided by each Returning Officer directly supplying information on postal votes to the Electoral Commission, which collates and publishes it.
The information can be found at https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/our-work/our-research/electoral-data/electoral-data-new
Asked by: Lord Maginnis of Drumglass (Independent Ulster Unionist - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether Government Ministers routinely inform all members of Parliament of the names, phone numbers and email addresses of their private offices; and if not, why not.
Answered by Lord Wallace of Saltaire - Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Cabinet Office)
The Cabinet Office publication, the List of Ministerial Responsibilities, includes email addresses and phone numbers of Minister’s private offices. Copies are available in the Vote Office, Printed Paper Office, and the Libraries of both Houses. It is also available on GOV.UK. I have a sent a copy to the Noble Lord for his ease of reference.
Asked by: Lord Maginnis of Drumglass (Independent Ulster Unionist - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether Government Ministers routinely acknowledge written communications from members of Parliament, including emails; and if not, why not.
Answered by Lord Wallace of Saltaire - Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Cabinet Office)
Guidance on handling correspondence from Members of Parliament, Peers, MEPs and Members of devolved Administrations is available online.
The guidance states that:
'Individual departments' targets for routine correspondence from MPs should be a maximum of 20 working days. Departments should consider setting themselves more challenging targets'
The guidance adds that, when delays occur, Departments should:
'Ensure all correspondence is responded to as quickly as possible, keeping the MP informed at all times'
Departments should apply the same standards when dealing with correspondence from Peers.