§ 9. Mr. Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why it took him until 21st March to send a formal reply to the communication sent to him by the hon. Member for West Ham, North, dated 6th March concerning the claims of Mr. L J. Crickmar; why no further information was given to the hon. Member for West Ham, North, until he received another formal acknowledgement to his subsequent letter of 10th May, dated 15th May; why it was necessary on this occasion for five days to elapse before sending a formal acknowledgement; and whether he will take the necessary steps to expedite the dealing with complaints from hon. Members.
§ Mr. ProfumoWhen I received the hon. Member's first letter on 11th March I caused a search to be made in the records of my Department to see if I could give him a substantive reply without reference to the Governor of Kenya. The details at my disposal about Mr. Crickmar did not relate to his financial affairs and I therefore sent a formal reply within nine working days to the effect that I would have to consult the authorities in Kenya. No further information was sent to the hon. Member because there was at that time none to send. The hon. Member's letter of Friday, 10th May, was received on Monday, 13th May, and was acknowledged by postcard on the same day; I sent him an interim reply two days later. I have dealt with this matter with all the expedition consistent with a proper examination of complaints.
§ 10. Mr. Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why it took him so long to resolve the claims of Mr. Crickmar; why the Governor of Kenya took so long to answer his communications; and what action he proposes to take to obtain more speedy replies from the Governor of Kenya to his communications in the future.
§ Mr. ProfumoThe local Housing Committee could not resolve Mr. Crickmar's claim for house allowance because he failed to present the receipts and other necessary particulars. The46W Income Tax Department was unable to make a proper assessment of his tax liability because he failed, contrary to the law, to make a return and claim his allowances. In default of co-operation from Mr. Crickmar the authorities in Kenya could make no progress on his case and the Governor of Kenya could not inform me of progress where none had been made. He has answered my communications as promptly as the necessary information could be secured.