§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services why it took his Department until 28th September to reply to a communication from the hon. Member for West Ham, North, dated 26th August, when his letter contained nothing in the way of information which could not have been sent within 24 hours; and why, on 30th September, his office failed to telephone the hon. Member for over two hours, and then only after an approach had been Made by the Prime Minister's office.
§ Mr. DeanA reply to the hon. Member's letter of 26th August was not sent until 28th September because it was thought right first to review thoroughly all the medical aspects of the case to which his letter referred. As regards the hon. Member's request to discuss this reply and another war pension case with an official, it was necessary to refer to the detailed individual case papers which are kept at the Blackpool office, and arrangements were made for that office to telephone the hon. Member direct, which it did that same day as soon as the papers were to hand. I have written to the hon. Member about the points raised in his letter of 30th September.