§ Mr. Arthur Lewis35 & 36. asked the Postmaster-General (1) whether he is aware that the hon. Member for West Ham, North, wrote to him on 7th December, 1967 complaining of the fact that a letter which the hon. Member sent on 2nd November, 1967 from London, N.14, was not delivered to the addressee in London, N.12, until 13th November; why it took him until 21st December to send a formal apology, with no explanation for the reasons for the delay in this postal delivery; and whether in future he will expedite replies to hon. Members of Parliament and members of the public on matters such as this;
(2) why it takes up to 14 days to send a formal letter of apology when mistakes and neglect of duty are committed by members of his staff; and whether in future he will take steps to expedite both mail and his replies to complaints when made by hon. Members of Parliament and the general public.
§ Mr. Edward ShortYes. I have emphasised the need for prompt replies but in this particular case I do not think fourteen days was unreasonable. My 153W Department had to make detailed inquiries about the wrongly addressed letter to which my hon. Friend refers.