asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that, in recent weeks, an increasing number of letters from Ministers to Members of Parliament have been signed by Ministers' private secretaries; and if he will give instructions that all letters to Members of Parliament are to be signed personally by Ministers or parliamentary secretaries, or, in the case of minor or routine matters, at least by parliamentary private secretaries.

I would refer to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Gravesend (Mr. Allighan) on 8th October last.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that I cannot possibly remember a rather secondary answer which goes back as far as that? Will he say what that answer is?

The previous answer was that Ministers responsible for Departments must be left to deal with the letters which come to them and are answered on their behalf as they think fit.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Foreign Office, the Air Ministry and the Ministry of Labour set a very good example in this matter, and if Ministers who are as busy as the Foreign Secretary, the Minister of State, the Secretary of State for Air, and the Minister of Labour can sign their own letters, why cannot some of the others?

Will the Financial Secretary bear in mind that it has been a longstanding tradition of this House that Members are entitled to replies from Ministers?

That is so, and I hope that Departments will be reminded of this well-established practice by these questions and answers.

As original communications are not always returned with the replies, can that matter also be looked into?

indicated assent.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some time ago, in connection with an alien, I had a letter from the Home Office, signed by the Parliamentary Private Secretary, and that when he went to the police with it, they refused to recognise it because they did not know who the Parliamentary Private Secretary was?