§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Prime Minister on what date he received a communication sent by the hon. Member for West Ham, North, concerning the delays on the part of the authorities concerned regarding the entry into Great Britain of Miss N. M. Patel; why there was a nine months' delay; why the file 125W of papers was lost or mislaid; and what action he has taken to have this matter investigated and to prevent such happenings in the future.
§ Mr. MaudlingI have been asked to reply.
My right hon. Friend received the hon. Member's letter on 31st December and replied on 6th January. When Miss Patel applied to settle in the United Kingdom it was necessary to make inquiries and in the course of them a file of papers was unfortunately mislaid. My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State at the Home Office has written to the hon. Member expressing his regret for the delay.