§ Mr. SedgemoreTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the solicitor acting for Delbert Devon Gordon from Jamaica, Home Office reference G291458, was sent the explanatory statement for an appeal lodged in January 1990; when he intends to reply to the latest letter on this topic from the hon. Member for Hackney, South and Shoreditch; and if he will make a statement about the reasons for the lengths of time involved in his Department's dealings in this matter.
§ Mr. Peter LloydThere are substantial backlogs of appeals awaiting preparation of explanatory statements and these have regrettably delayed work on Mr. Gordon's case. However, the statement has been prepared and will be despatched to the appellate authorities very shortly. I will write to the hon. Member when this has been done. The appellate authorities will make arrangements for the explanatory statement to be forwarded to the appellant's nominated representative.