§ 55. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Defence why it took until 18th July, 1966 to reply to the communication from the hon. Member for West Ham, North, dated 15th April, concerning German frontiers; and whether he will ensure that Members do not have to wait over three months for a reply to their communications to his Department.
§ Mr. HealeyThe question posed in the hon. Member's letter required wide investigation104W and consultation with an international organisation before an authoritative reply could be prepared. Even so I accept that there was undue delay and can only repeat the apology I made in replying to the hon. Member. It is, of course, the normal practice of my Department to reply as quickly as practicable to enquiries.