HC Deb 26 January 1944 vol 396 cc702-3W
Sir H. Williams

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that in a large number of cases people who write to Government Departments receive neither answer nor acknowledgment; and if he will give instructions that this practice is to terminate.

Sir J. Anderson

In May 1940, following a recommendation made by an inter-Departmental Committee on paper shortage, it was suggested to Government Departments that routine acknowledgments of incoming letters, etc., should be confined to those containing valuable or important documents. The need for economy in the use of paper still exists, and the time has not yet come to withdraw that suggestion. I am certainly not aware that large numbers of letters to Government Departments which call for a reply receive no answers, and if this indeed be so, I suggest that my hon. Friend should take the matter up with the Departments concerned.