§ Mr. Marloweasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why a letter from the Town Clerk, Hove, relating to taxi-cab fare increases, dated 5th June, 1950, remained unanswered until 25th July; whether he is aware that this delay caused further delay of many months owing to the summer Recess, thereby greatly inconveniencing those concerned; and what steps he is taking to ensure that letters from public authorities receive prompt attention.
§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfeOwing to the abnormal number of inquiries which were being received from local authorities at this time about the amendment of byelaws to provide for an increase in taxi-cab fares, there was a regrettable delay in dealing with correspondence and it was not possible to reply to the Town Clerk's letter earlier. The position is now more normal: indeed when a further letter from the Town Clerk was received on 17th September it was answered within two days.