HC Deb 06 February 1978 vol 943 cc453-4W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why it took him until 26th January 1978 to send a letter to the hon. Member for Newham, North-West, stating that he could not reply to the hon. Member's letter of 15th December 1977 by that date; what was contained in the eventual reply which could not have been sent much earlier; and whether he will expedite replies to his correspondence in future.

Mr. Bishop

My hon. Friend's letter was one of many on the same subject received in the period immediately before the Christmas and New Year holiday. The preparation of a reply was subsequently held up pending a decision on the devaluation of the green pound which was of direct relevance to the matter discussed in this and earlier correspondence with my hon. Friend. I aim to reply to all correspondence as quickly as possible and regret the delay in replying for the reasons given.