MPs asked UK gov't 85,000 written questions last year

London, Dec 4, IRNA – British MPs asked the government minister to answer a record of 85,000 written questions in the last parliamentary year, it has been revealed.

The total cost of answering the questions was calculated at over £12.5m ($20m) during 2008-09, an average of nearly £150 each.

During a parliamentary debate on Thursday, Liberal Democrat MP Nick Harvey, who acts as spokesman of the House of Commons Commission, said that the "phenomenal number" had been dealt with accurately and efficiently by official staff.

"It is a pity, however, that the ministers who reply to questions do not do so with equal accuracy and timeliness of response," Harvey said.

All replies from ministers are published on the internet by the official parliamentary publisher Hansards, although some refuse to give answers on the grounds of national security or previous conventions.

According to the House of Commons Information Office, the number of written questions has grown since 129 questions in 1847.

By 1900, the annual total was 5,106 and during the previous parliament session 2007-08, it reached almost 75,000./end