1. A method for producing answers to a question or query issued to an information repository containing natural language data, executable in a computer system, comprising the steps of: a. receiving a search question or query containing at least one variable expression, said at least one variable expression being representative of desired answer data that is to be searched for in said information repository; b. initiating a search of said information repository for information containing terms present in said search question or query and receiving a first data set comprising information containing terms present in said search question or query; c. searching said first data set for answer phrases present in syntactically similar form to said search question or query and containing answer data which may replace said variable expression to provide an answer to said search question or query, and retrieving answer phrases resulting from such search; and d. modifying said answer phrases and providing output derived from said answer phrases in the form of one or more direct answers to said search question or query.