§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) when the letter from the hon. Member for Thurrock to the Minister for London and Construction relating to the Minister's planned visit to Poland was received in the Department; to whom it was circulated; and for what purposes it was circulated to persons other than the Minister; [91977]
(2) if the letter from the hon. Member for Thurrock to the Minister for London and Construction concerning the Minister's visit to Poland was brought to the Minister's attention prior to his discussion with the hon. Member for Thurrock on 13 July; [91980]
(3) for what reasons the letter sent by the hon. Member for Thurrock to the Minister for London and Construction prior to the Minister's visit to Poland, concerning that visit, was not brought to the Minister's attention; [91979]
(4) what the circumstances were in which his Department's response to the letter from the hon. Member for Thurrock concerning the visit of the Minister for London and Construction to Poland was mislaid; and if he will make a statement. [91978]
§ Mr. RaynsfordI have now replied to the faxed letter received by the Department on 8 June. The letter was copied to the official in the Department who was dealing with the organisation of the visit to Poland for his information. However, as a result of an administrative error the letter was not brought to my attention until 15 July. I have asked officials to review procedures to ensure that no similar error occurs again.