asked the Secretary of State for the Environment on what date he received from the Home Office a copy of the communication from the hon. Member for West Ham, North, dated 12th November, 1971, regarding the death of a schoolboy in West Ham why it took him until 12th January, 1972 to reply; what information contained in this communication of 12th January was not available in November, 1971; and whether he will take action to ensure speedier replies to taxpayers who write to his Department and to deal more expeditiously with mail from Members of Parliament.

I have written to the hon. Member about all these matters.