§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why the Secretary of State for the Home Department has not yet replied to a petition addressed to him by Mr. Mark Leech, a prisoner now in Dartmoor Prison, dated 23rd May 1988: why the Minister, Mr. Douglas Hogg, MP, has not yet replied to a letter dated 20th January1989 asking why it was taking so long to answer this petition; when the petition and letter will be answered, and whether they will take steps to expedite answers to prisoners' petitions and to letters from Members in general.
The Minister of State, Home Office (Earl Ferrers)My honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State has replied to the noble Lord's letter of 28th January indicating that an answer has now been sent to Mr. Leech's petition. My right honourable friend the Secretary of State greatly regrets the delay which has occurred in this case. Arrangements for dealing with petitions from prisoners and correspondence from honourable Members related to such matters ensure that the majority are dealt with efficiently and with reasonable speed.