HC Deb 27 January 1972 vol 829 c515W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science why it took her until 18th January, 1972, to reply to the communication from the hon. Member for West Ham, North, dated 8th December, 1971, regarding St. Angela's School, Newham; what information as contained in this reply was not available and could not have been despatched within a week of receipt of the original communication; and whether she will expedite replies in the future.

Mr. van Straubenzee

As the hon. Member will know from my right hon. Friend's reply, it was necessary for the Department to consult the Newham Authority about the state the negotiations had reached for the purchase of the property in question. Such information could net be expected to be available in the Department.

My right hon. Friend has already assured the hon. Member that every effort is made to deal with correspondence as speedily and effectively as possible.