HC Deb 09 November 1981 vol 12 c11W
Mr. Eldon Griffiths

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why it took him until 14 October to reply to a letter from the hon. Member for Bury St. Edmunds which was sent to him five months earlier on behalf of E. Garnham on the subject of parental contributions to student grants; and why his reply was unsigned.

Sir Geoffrey Howe

I very much regret the delay which took place. Every endeavour is being made to deal with the backlog of correspondence which built up during the Civil Service dispute. I understand that the letter to Mr. Garnham was, in fact, signed.