asked the President of the Board of Trade why no reply has been sent to a letter addressed to him by the hon. Member for Orpington, dated 26th August, 1947, concerning a disabled ex-Serviceman, Mr. D. Carter-Clout.

A reply was sent to the hon. Member on 23rd October.

The Minister will realise that this Question was put down before the reply was received, but that does not explain the extraordinary delay in answering this letter, which caused great inconvenience. Is it not further proof that the administration has broken down under State control?

I will be quite honest with the hon. Member. This case was temporarily overlooked. In view of the extremely large number of cases and letters that come from the hon. Member, it is hardly surprising if one is overlooked.

There are plenty more to come.