asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why it took him until 11 January 1979 to reply to a letter form the hon. Member for Newham, North-West dated 17 July 1976 concerning Mr. Raj Mal Jain; and whether he will take action to ensure that letters are replied to more expeditiously.

After a question by my hon. Friend about this case was answered on 26 July 1976, letters were sent to him on 18 October and 23 November 1976 and on 6 January and 15 February 1977. In the last of these I said that the case was sub judice because of proceedings at the Central Criminal Court and that I would write again when the matter was resolved and a firm decision taken regarding Mr. Jain's position in this country. The case remained sub judice until April 1978. Mr. Jain then made further representations and he was interviewed in September. A decision regarding his position in this country was taken on 2 January 1979 and I wrote to my hon. Friend on 11 January.