HC Deb 18 February 1970 vol 796 cc150-1W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that at 9.45 a.m. on Wednesday, 11th February no one in authority was available to take a telephone message in the department of his Under-Secretary, and that the caller was advised that no one arrives until 10 a.m.; and whether he will take steps to ensure that someone in authority is available in his Ministry's office and that of his under-Ministers from 9 a.m. during normal working days.

Mr. Callaghan

The information conveyed by my hon. Friend in his question is not correct. Officials attend at Ministers Offices on normal working days for hours which are far longer than normal office hours, and adequate arrangements exist to deal with telephone calls.