§ 18. Mr. Maudeasked the Minister of National Insurance whether he is aware that, in the case of Agnes Connett, a patient in the mental hospital, Exeter, five 80W letters dated 10th October, 1946, 19th November, 1946, 12th December, 1946, 13th February, 1947, and 26 March, 1947, from the director of social welfare of the city of Exeter to his Department 'were not even acknowledged, and that now the director has received a reply to the letter of 10th October, 1946, such reply being dated 31st March, 1947, whereas the envelope in which it was sent to the director was postmarked 11th April, 1947; and whether he will state the reasons for these delays and see that they do not occur in any similar case.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsAs I explained to the hon. and learned Member in my letter of 17th April, this case has now been cleared. I regret the delay and am having further inquiries made into the handling of the case generally. I can say now however that a reply to the letter of 10th October was in fact sent on 23rd October, addressed to the Town Clerk, in accordance with the usual practice, and a reply was received by my Department