§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Energy, in the light of the fact that the hon. Member for Newham, North-West wrote to him on 17th October enclosing a letter from the St. Pauls Residents' Association, and that it was not until 23rd November 1977 that his under-Secretary replied, what was contained in this reply which could not have been sent within a much shorter period of time; and whether he will arrange to have letters sent to him by taxpayers dealt with more expeditiously than is now the case.
§ Dr. John CunninghamThe delay arose from the pressure of correspondence within the Department. As the letter of 17th October referred to the type of electricity meters to be installed in a housing redevelopment, the case was referred to the chairman of the area electricity board, who replied promptly680W on 28th November. All correspondence received in the Department is dealt with as expeditiously as possible, bearing in mind the urgency of each case and the importance of avoiding extravagant staff numbers.