§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he will give the average time taken by his Department to send formal acknowledgements of receipt and replies to letters sent to him generally and by Members of Parliament in particular; how these times compare with a stated period as long ago as may be conveniently recorded; and what action he has taken or intends taking to expedite these replies to the taxpayer and their elected representatives.
§ Mr. DellI regret that to give an answer in the form requested would incur unjustifiable expense. Correspondence which is to receive a ministerial reply, which includes all letters from MPs, is acknowledged immediately upon receipt, and in general substantive replies have recently been sent within 10 working days. When it is not possible to give a substantive answer within that period an interim reply is sent, and a full reply is dispatched as soon as possible thereafter. I have no plans to change this system.