§ Mr. Muddasked the Minister of Transort what is the average time taken by his Department in responding to letters from hon. Members; when the hon. Member for Falmouth and Camborne can expect a reply to his letter of 26 April concerning the Falmouth harbour commissioners; and why it has taken 69W so long to provide a response in this instance.
§ Mr. FowlerI try wherever possible to ensure that hon. Members receive replies either from myself or my hon. and learned Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to their letters within one month. However, with around 120 letters received per week from hon. Members alone, I am afraid that this does not always prove possible. In this case I understand my hon. and learned Friend the Parliamentary Secretary has now replied and apologised for the delay in replying. Sorry.
§ Mr. Muddasked the Minister of Transport if he will arrange for early replies to be sent to the hon. Member for Falmouth and Camborne in respect of correspondence referred on 5 March from Mr. G. J. Cock, of 15 Trelissick Road, Hayle, Cornwall, and on 31 March from Mr. W. P. Keverne, of 15 Rosemullion Gardens, Tolvaddon, Camborne, Cornwall; and if will explain why his responses have been so delayed.
§ Mr. FowlerThese two letters relate to regulations which because of a prayer tabled for their annulment were the subject of a Standing Committee debate on 26 March. As a result of the Committee's decision, I thought it right to consider carefully the future of the regulations. My hon. and learned Friend the Parliamentary Secretary was therefore unable to let my hon. Friend have a reply to his letters whilst the matter was still under consideration. However, I decided at the beginning of June that the regulations should remain in force and I understand that my hon. and learned Friend the Parliamentary Secretary has now replied to both letters.