§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why his Assistant Private Secretary did not reply till 13th June to the hon. Member for West Ham, North's letter of 18th May requesting that matters connected with the London May Day march should be referred to the Commissioner of Police for investigation; and whether he will expedite replies to correspondence in future.
§ Mr. CarlisleAccording to our records the hon. Member's letter was acknowledged by printed card as soon as it was received, and I asked for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis. The letter of 13th June was an interim reply intended as a courtesy to the hon. Member and was sent when it became apparent that I would not be in a position to give him a substantive reply for some time. I shall write to him as soon as I have received and have had an opportunity to consider the Commissioner's report.