§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Employment, in the light of the fact that it took him until 16 April to advise the hon. Member for Newham, North-West to the effect that his letter of 14 February concerning payments of unemployment benefit would receive attention, whether he will take the necessary action to ensure that interim and substantive replies to correspondence are sent faster.
§ Mr. Jim LesterFollowing acknowledgement by the Department of Health and Social Security the hon. Member's letter was transferred to my Department on 12 March. I apologise to the hon. Member for the delay in replying to this particular letter. My Department's arrangements normally ensure that interim and substantive replies are sent as quickly as possible, but in this instance the system did not work as well as I would wish.