§ Lord AVEBURYasked Her Majesty's Government:
On what date a file was passed by the Home Office to the Department of Health and Social Security concerning the Misses Elaben B. and Nishakumari B. Patel, and for what purposes, and how long it will be before the latter Department replies.
§ Lord WELLS-PESTELLI understand that the relevant files reached the Department of Health and Social Security on 8th January 1975 for comment on the medical aspect of Miss N. B. Patel's request for permission to settle in the United Kingdom. A reply was sent to the Home Office on 21st May with an 1533WA apology for the delay in dealing with the papers. I deeply regret the delay and efforts are being made to ensure that this sort of delay does not occur in future.