§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, further to his replies to the Question tabled by the hon. Member for Norfolk, North, on 8th December 1977, 3rd April 1978, columns 32–4, and columns 36–40, why it has taken four months to produce these figures; and whether this is the longest period of delay for such an answer.
§ Mr. OrmeI regret the delay, which was due to pressure of work at a time when the staff with experience in these complex matters was depleted. I am also sorry that, for the same reasons, there has been a rather longer delay in providing a substantive reply to the Question tabled by the hon. Member on 29th November; I am, however, replying to that today. I am writing to the hon. Member to explain the situation more fully.