HL Deb 12 June 1974 vol 352 cc611-2WA
LORD WINDLESHAM

asked Her Majesty's Government:

For any available statistics relating to the Home Office which indicate the average time taken to send replies in the years 1971, 1972, 1973 and 1974:

  1. (a) to letters addressed to the Home Secretary or to Home Office Ministers by Members of Parliament; and
  2. (b) to letters addressed to the Home Secretary or to other Home Office Ministers or to the Department, by members of the public.

LORD HARRIS OF GREENWICH

No such statistics are available. Home Office Ministers and officials seek to reply to all correspondents as quickly as possible.

LORD WINDLESHAM

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What steps they are taking to expedite the handling of official correspondence by the Home Office, both with Members of Parliament and the public.

LORD HARRIS OF GREENWICH

The detailed procedures for handling letters from Members of Parliament were reviewed towards the end of last year and revised instructions were issued to the office.

The handling of correspondence from members of the public is under constant review as part of normal day to day management. Every effort is made to deal with an increasing volume of correspondence as speedily as possible with the staff available.

House adjourned at fifteen minutes before nine o'clock.