§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will take action to ensure that when Members of Parliament and the general public write to his Department they are not kept waiting up to eight weeks for replies on straightforward matters; and whether he will give particular attention to expediting replies on matters relating to the Metropolitan Police.
§ Mr. SharplesThe Home Office seeks to reply to all letters as quickly as possible, including those on matters relating to the Metropolitan Police.
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§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why it took him until 4th November, 1971, to reply to the letter dated 25th September from the hon. Member for West Ham, North, complaining of illegalities in David Street, E.15; and as the police took action on 30th September, 1st, 4th and 5th October, to watch the area, why it took a further month to send this report to the hon. Member; and whether he will make a statement.
Mr. SharpiesThe hon. Member was informed on 1st October that his letter had been referred to the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis. The time taken to make police inquiries, consider their outcome, and reply to the hon. Member was not unreasonable.