§ Mr. Peter Walkerasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many letters received by his Department from Members of Parliament prior to 15th February 1978 have yet to receive a full reply.
§ Mr. BoothThere are at present 63 letters received by my Department from Members of Parliament prior to 15th February 1978 yet to receive a full reply. Thirty-six of these have been sent to the Manpower Services Commission for advice on a reply and three to the Health and Safety Commission; 24 of the letters are within my Department. In most cases, interim replies have been sent while436W detailed inquiries are proceeding. I am examining the reasons why these replies have been delayed longer than most and the scope for eliminating such delays.