§ 47. Mr. Lipsonasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that hon. Members are frequently kept waiting 203 several weeks before they receive replies to urgent letters to Government Departments on matters affecting their constituents; that there is good reason to believe that this delay, which inflicts great hardship on many individuals, is caused by ineffective methods of dealing with correspondence; and will he, by moving to appoint a committee of hon. Members with business experience to inquire into the matter, or by some other means, take steps to find a remedy for the present unsatisfactory state of things?
§ The Prime MinisterI am satisfied that every effort is made by Government Departments to reply as quickly as possible to letters from hon. Members, and I do not consider that it is necessary or desirable to adopt the suggestion made by the hon. Member. Delay is sometimes unavoidable, particularly when it is necessary to obtain information from outlying naval or military stations or from the detached branches or local offices of civil Departments. It must, of course, be recognised that in present circumstances the pressure upon Departments is intense, and I would appeal to hon. Members on their side to refrain as far as possible from putting questions to Departments that are unnecessary or that entail great labourin order to provide answers.
§ Mr. LipsonIf Departments are very heavily worked at the present time, is not that an additional reason for ensuring that the methods for dealing with correspondence are the best possible, and has the Prime Minister no other means to suggest for dealing with the delay which occurs, not only here but in those cases where inquiries have to be made?
§ The Prime MinisterI am sure that the Departments are doing all that is possible in the circumstances.
§ Mr. TomlinsonMay I put a question with regard to Departments offering advice to hon. Members?
§ Mr. SpeakerThat does not arise out of the Question on the Paper.