§ 6. Mr. Sidney Shephardasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that business firms frequently experience a delay of three to four weeks in obtaining a reply to their letters from his Department; and if he will give instructions to his officials to speed up their replies.
§ Sir S. CrippsOwing to the heavy pressure of work in my Department and to the shortage of staff, there is unfortunately some delay in answering letters. I am taking all possible steps to improve matters in this respect.
§ Mr. ShephardCould the right hon. and learned Member consider setting up a working party to investigate his Department?
§ Sir S. CrippsThere has, for a long time, been such a party.
§ Colonel ErrollCould the Minister issue a circular indicating which letters should be addressed to his regional offices and which to his head office, as that would save some delay?
§ Sir S. CrippsIf the hon. and gallant Gentleman will look at the "Board of Trade Journal" he will see that particulars are given of which matters are dealt with regionally.