§ 118. Mr. Molsonasked the President of the Board of Trade what steps were taken to expedite the machinery for granting import licences when the hon. Member for Derby, High Peak, complained of nine weeks' delay in granting a licence to Messrs. Levi Jackson & Sons, Limited, Hobroyd, Glossop, on 22nd January, 1946; why, after an application for a further licence had been made on 3rd June, 1946, seven reminders were necessary before the licence was issued on 4th July, 1946 and whether he will give an assurance that such delays in his Department will not recur.
§ Sir S. CrippsThe staffing of the Import Licensing Department has been improved since the hon. Member asked a similar Question on 30th January and every effort is made to reduce delays to a minimum. Of the delay of a month in dealing with this further application, 12 days was due to shortage of typing staff which has since been partially remedied. The hon. Member appears to be misinformed as to the number of reminders: I understand that the Department received one telegram and one further letter from the firm.