HC Deb 26 October 1972 vol 843 cc362-4W
22. Mr. Edwin Wainwright

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give the number of males and females who have been released on parole from Her Majesty's prisons during each of the past four years; and how many have been recommitted to prison.

Mr. Mark Carlisle

Following is the information as regards prisoners serving determinate sentences in England and Wales:

ledgment letter to the communication dated 30th September from the hon. Member for West Ham, North regarding his responsibility for traffic congestion in Sugar House Lane, London, E.15; and whether he will take action to ensure that such stereotyped formal acknowledgement letters are sent more expeditiously in the future.

Mr. Carlisle

The hon. Member's letters were formally acknowledged on 29th September and 2nd October respectively. There was no undue delay in subsequently sending him the interim replies to which he refers. Their purpose was to let him know that inquiries were necessary before final replies could be sent.

24. Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will cause an investigation to be made to ascertain why it took until 12th October for the hon. Member for West Ham, North to receive a reply to his communication dated 22nd September regarding his responsibilities for Mr. V. C. Davis and his stolen car; and whether he will take action to expedite such replies in the future.

Mr. Carlisle

I have seen the hon. Member's letter to the Commissioner of Police, and the Commissioner's reply which explained the nature of the inquiries which had been necessary. There was no unreasonable delay.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for the the Home Department when the hon. Member for West Ham, North may expect to receive a reply to his letter of 30th September regarding the problems and difficulties being created by the influx of Ugandan Asians into Great Britain in general and the London Borough of Newham; and whether he will give a detailed reply to the earlier communications sent to him by the hon. Member on 5th and 18th September.

Mr. Lane

I replied to the hon. Member's letter of 30th September on 24th October. The hon. Member's letters of 5th and 18th September were answered on 29th September.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why it took him until 9th October to reply to the communication sent to him under date of 18th August, 1972, enclosing a petition from a number of constituents in West Ham, North, protesting against the entry of Uganda Asians; what information contained in this reply could not have been sent within days of receipt instead of weeks; and whether he will expedite replies from his Department in the future.

Mr. Lane

I attach great importance to prompt replies being sent by the Home Office. The correspondence from hon. Members about the expulsion of Asians from Uganda has been very large, and I am sorry that I have not dealt with all of it as speedily as I would have wished.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date he first received a request from the hon. Member for West Ham, North, requesting an investigation into a constituent's complaint, for which he is responsible, about the police in Forest Gate; why by 21st October, 1972, the hon. Member had received no reply other than formal notes stating the matter was receiving attention; when he can expect to receive a substantive reply; and whether he will expedite such investigations in the future.

Mr. Carlisle

The hon. Member's letter was received on 8th August. He was told on 16th August that the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis had been asked for a report. He was told on 22nd September that the investigation into the complaint had not been completed. The Commissioner informs me that it is likely that the report of the investigation will be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions in accordance with the provisions of the Police Act, 1964. A substantive reply will be sent to the hon. Member as soon as possible. In view of the thoroughness with which complaints against the police are investigated, inquiries may sometimes take a long time to complete.