§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will give the average time taken by his Department to send formal acknowledgements of receipt and replies to letters sent to him generally and by Members of Parliament in particular; how these times compare with a stated period as long ago as may be conveniently recorded; and what action he has taken or intends taking to expedite these replies to the taxpayer and their elected representatives.
§ Mr. TomlinsonStanding instructions in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office state that any officially addressed communication from a non-governmental organisation or a member of the public should be acknowledged without delay and a reply sent promptly. Letters from Members of Parliament are always acknowledged immediately upon receipt and a substantive reply is usually sent within seven days. If a substantive reply cannot be given within this period an interim reply is sent. Since its creation it has been the practice of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to deal expeditiously with all such correspondence and continued supervision is exercised to ensure that standing instructions are observed. It is not considered that the time scale in operation can be improved upon.