Welsh minister issues apology to MP
Welsh health minister Jane Hutt has issued a written apology to government minister Kim Howells.
Ms Hutt was forced to apologise after the UK transport minister wrote to her on behalf of a sick constituent and was forced to wait ten weeks for a reply.
Pontypridd MP Dr Howells wrote a letter of complaint in which he heavily criticised Ms Hutt, claiming: “Such behaviour does not smack of a professional approach by your department and offers little encouragement to those of us, inside and outside of politics, who would like to contribute to the debate about how best to deliver improved health care provision in Wales.”
BBC Wales obtained a copy of the letter and shortly afterwards Ms Hutt apologised, admitting that the delay in replying was “unacceptable” and agreeing to meet with Dr Howells.
Dr Howells requested information about potential treatment for a sick former miner from Ms Hutt, but he waited two-and-a-half months for a reply and eventually claimed that he was fobbed off with a reply from her diary secretary, which contained very little information, and a refusal to set a date for a meeting.
The delay of 52 working days is more than three times the 15 day response target set out in the Welsh Assembly’s own code of practice.
An assembly spokeswoman said that Ms Hutt had apologised to Dr Howells and revealed that she had made it clear to Dr Howells that “positive actions” were being taken in Wales in relation to liquid oxygen therapy for those suffering from lung diseases.
Both politicians have now agreed to meet as soon as possible.
