HC Deb 02 April 1998 vol 309 c630W
Mr. Steinberg

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy that he and his Ministers personally read the letters sent to them by hon. Members on constituency matters. [27671]

Mr. Robin Cook

It has been my policy and that of other FCO Ministers to read letters from hon. Members on constituency matters and that will remain the case. The exception is visa matters, where aside from particularly sensitive cases, the practice is and has been for replies to be sent by officials.