HC Deb 25 January 1968 vol 757 cc581-2
Q4. Mr. Eldon Griffiths

asked the Prime Minister if he will instruct Ministers replying to hon. Members letters on behalf of their constituents to send personal answers rather than mimeographed statements applicable generally but not dealing with the individual points raised.

The Prime Minister

It has always been a tradition that Ministers take a good deal of care about the replies they end to letters from Members of Parlia- ment about constituency cases. If an hon. Member is not satisfied with the Answer he receives in any particular case, it is up to him to pursue the matter with the Minister concerned and not for me to give directions.

Mr. Griffiths

While recognising that on general questions such as Stansted and comprehensive education there is something to be said for sending out stereotypes, may I ask the Prime Minister whether he agrees that when individual cases are put forward by individual constituents, it simply is not good enough to brush them off with a circular which misses the point of their individual question?

The Prime Minister

Yes. I very much support the view 'that personal matters should be dealt with by personal letters. If the hon. Gentleman has any case or knows of any general practice whereby this is happening. I hope that he will bring it to me.

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