§ Mr. Lomasasked the Prime Minister what is the practice of his Administration on the answering of letters from the general public, including prospective parliamentary candidates, by political advisers to Ministers; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Prime Minister:It is for each Minister to decide whether any letter should be answered by him personally or by an official. Ministers may reply personally to letters from prospective parliamentary candidates, but a Minister might, without discourtesy, ask a special adviser or other civil servant to reply to such a letter on his behalf.