§ Mr. Spenceasked the Secretary of State for Transport when the hon. Member for Thirsk and Malton may expect to receive a reply to his letter of 21 May and 22 October 1982, addressed to the Department of the Environment's regional office in Leeds, concerning the claim of Mr. E. W. Barnett, of Rising Sun farm, Topcliffe Common, Thirsk, for alleged vibration damage arising from the A168 Boroughbridge to Thirsk road; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. ChalkerI am writing today to my hon. Friend in reply to his letters of 21 May and 22 October 1982, and I very much regret the excessive delays in this correspondence. I have investigated the cause of the delays and am taking steps to ensure there is no repetition.