Committee publication · Correspondence · 4 June 2025
Correspondence with the Secretary of State for Defence relating to WPQ performance, dated 3 April and 12 May 2025
From: Procedure Committee
Inquiry: Written Parliamentary Questions: Departmental performance in Session 2024-26
Summary
The Procedure Committee wrote to the Secretary of State for Defence on 3 April 2025 expressing concern that the Ministry of Defence fell below the 85% standard for answering written parliamentary questions on time during July–December 2024 (79% for Named Day, 80% for Ordinary questions). The Secretary of State responded on 12 May, confirming that performance has since improved to exceed 85% and committed to sustaining improvements through Defence Reform restructuring and enhanced parliamentary business management.
Key findings
- MoD performance on written parliamentary questions fell below the 85% acceptable standard: 79% for Named Day questions and 80% for Ordinary questions in the July–December 2024 period.
- Performance was inconsistent across Session 2023–24, ranging from 90% (Named Day, Nov 2023–Feb 2024) to 67% (Named Day, Feb–May 2024).
- Committee Chair Cat Smith requested steps to address performance issues within six weeks, citing increased defence scrutiny in context of global security concerns.
- Secretary of State John Healey reported that performance has since improved to exceed 85% for the current session and committed to maintaining this through Defence Reform implementation.
- Healey indicated structural and procedural changes across the Department will prioritise parliamentary business handling going forward.
Government position
Accepts the 85% standard and acknowledges underperformance in the specified period. Government states that performance has now improved beyond 85% and commits to sustaining improvements through Defence Reform restructuring and enhanced management of parliamentary business. Characterises the issue as already being addressed proactively.
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Cat Smith MP (Chair of the Procedure Committee), John Healey MP (Secretary of State for Defence), House of Commons Procedure Committee, Ministry of Defence, Leader of the House, Principal Clerk of the Table Office
Notable line
“I view our obligations to Parliament as a priority. When I arrived, I directed the Ministry of Defence (MOD) to improve our openness and transparency with parliament …”
Key Quotes
“… the standard considered acceptable by us and by our predecessors is for 85% of questions to be responded to on time.”
“+44 (0)20 7219 3351 Social: @CommonsProcCom related issues in a world with increasing security concerns and uncertainties, and the Government's renewed focus on defence-related issues …”
“I was therefore disappointed that, between July and December 2024, the MOD fell short of the 85% target set by your committee for answering parliamentary questions on time.”
“For the current session, we have now answered in excess of 85% of parliamentary questions on time. I am not complacent about this; this improved performance must be maintained.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗