§ Mr. Speedasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of letters to his Department from Members of Parliament is taking four weeks or more to answer; and what were the comparable figures for a year and two years ago.
§ Dr. SummerskillIn a sample survey of such letters answered in the first nine months of this year, about 51 per cent. took 20 working days or longer to answer in full. Comparable information in respect of earlier years is not readily available. Many of the letters required inquiries to be made outside the Department before complete replies could be sent.