A Response - Sort Of!

It is now three months to the day since I first wrote to the Secretary of State, Hazel Blears.

Having sent several reminders, and having cajoled Boris Johnson into prodding Ms Blears to answer, I finally have been sent an apology for the delay and a response (not from Ms Blears of course).

Here is the apology:

"Dear Mr Frost,

Please find attached a reply to your letter of 28 February to the Secretary of State. Please accept my apologies for this late acknowledgement. At the time you wrote, this case was being dealt with on behalf of the Secretary of State by the Planning Inspectorate and your letter was accordingly forwarded to them."

However, the astute amongst you will notice that the response (see below) does not answer any of the questions that I raised in my letter of February.

I suppose I should be grateful for at least receiving a response!

"Dear Mr Frost

Town and Country Planning Act 1990 – Section 77

Land adjoining East Croydon Station, George Street, Dingwall Road, Lansdowne Road, Croydon – Application by Arrowcroft Ltd

I am writing to confirm receipt of your letter to the Secretary of State, dated 28 February 2008, about the above planning application.

The Inspector's report and recommendations are currently being considered by the Secretary of State before she proceeds to issue her decision on this case. The contents of your letter have been noted and will be taken into consideration.

Yours sincerely,

XXX

Case Officer"

A Large Slice of Fudge

I wrote to Boris Johnson's campaign website, on 16 April, asking:

"Where do you stand on the Arena proposals that the council is trying to ram through?"

They answered today, and served me a large slice of fudge:

"Dear Mr Frost

Thank you very much for emailing the Back Boris campaign, and please excuse the delay in getting back to you.

With less than 14 days to go until the polls open in the Mayoral contest it is not possible for Mr Johnson and his team to look at each such issue that is raised with him and the team. Boris also can't comment on the specific project as it may well end up being passed to the Mayor's office for a formal decision. I do urge you to get in touch after May 1st when Boris may be able to look into the matter in more detail. If there is anything else you would like to bring to our attention, please do not hesitate to get back in contact with us. It is vital that we hear from Londoners about the issues that matter to them.

Yours sincerely

The Policy Team"

Ken was able to give an opinion on it!

Thanks Boris

My thanks to Boris Johnson for stepping in to give Hazel Blears a nudge re her non reply to my letter of the 28th February:

"The Rt Hon Hazel Blears MP
Secretary of State
Dept. for Communities & Local Government
Eland House, Bressenden Place
London SW1E 5DU 18th April, 2008


Dear Hazel,

Ken Frost
****

Ken Frost has asked me to point out that he has had no reply to his letter to you dated 28th February, 2008, a copy of which I enclose. Could I ask, in the absence of his own MP, that you reply to him directly at ***.

Yours sincerely,

BORIS JOHNSON"