§ Mr. Nellistasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) on what date his formal inquiry into the case of Mr. R. J. Knight will now be heard;
(2) what are the reasons for the delay in considering the application of Mr. R. J. Knight of Coventry for a formal ruling that he was in employed earner's employment at the time of his accident; and if he has sent an apology to the constituent of the hon. Member for Coventry, South-East.
§ Mr. LyellThe oral inquiry into Mr. Knight's case was originally scheduled for 14 January but had to be postponed because adverse weather conditions prevented the attendance of one of the witnesses. Mr. Knight has been informed that the hearing will now be held on 18 March. I much regret the delay.
§ Mr. Nellistasked the Secretary of State for Social Services why the letter from the hon. Member for Coventry, South-East of 7 November 1986 concerning the case of Mr. R. J. Knight took 14 weeks to answer.
§ Mr. LyellI am sorry for the delay. I had hoped to write to the hon. Member in December but the letter was delayed over Christmas and then had to be amended. The inquiry, the result of which I then intended to await, was postponed on account of bad weather. My letter was then reamended.