§ 55. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why it took him until 12th June to reply to letters sent to him by the hon. Member for West Ham, North, from Mr. T. Brett under dates of 9th February, 26th March, 23rd April, 27th April, and 4th May; what was contained in this eventual reply which could not have been sent earlier; and whether he will expedite replies in the future.
§ Mr. CarlisleThese letters, which were received from the hon. Member on 30th March, 9th April and 2nd and 11th May, referred to a matter on which action was being taken by persons and bodies outside the Home Office following a direction by the Court of Appeal, and it took some time to obtain the necessary information for a reply.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why it took him until 19th June to reply to the communications sent to him in February and April by the hon. Member for West Ham, North concerning Mr. George Copping; what information contained in this letter was not available to be sent to the hon. Member at an earlier date; and whether he will expedite replies in future.
§ Mr. CarlisleThe matters raised by the hon. Member related to an investigation under Section 49 of the Police Act 1964 and entailed further police inquiries which, as was explained in letters sent to him in February and April, inevitably took time.