§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he is aware that the hon. Member for Newham, North-West wrote to him on 20 February concerning the Government proposals on school transport charges and that it was not until 12 April that his Minister of State replied, referring to his statement in the House on 18 March; why it took almost two months to send this reply; and whether he will expedite replies to his correspondence in the future.
§ Dr. BoysonA reply which had been prepared to the hon. Member's letter of 20 February was overtaken before it had been dispatched by a decision taken in another place on 13 March. Following my right hon. and learned Friend's statement in the House on 18 March, all outstanding correspondence on school transport was then dealt with as quickly as possible. My right hon. and learned Friend regrets any inconvenience that this delay may have caused.