I was under the misapprehension if a letter is sent to a Member of Parliament it is incumbent on them to reply. This, in an earlier age, was considered common courtesy. I personally directed letters to 120 MPs and only 10 per cent acknowledged receipt.
Plus, of these, only three made pertinent comments. The others must have reasoned there was little purpose in having a secretary who did not relieve them of the responsibility of actually reading what had been directed to them.

To do so might make them aware of how members of the public are thinking and even require them, God forbid, to take some action.

But then, being politicians and omniscient, they doubtlessly consider they have a firm finger on the public pulse.

Secretaries can be such a blessing, even if they only acknowledge receipt of the missive and promise the member will be informed of it.

Yeah right. There is seldom, if ever, a ‘follow up' and I have a strong suspicion the secretary's initial reply is ‘pro forma' and electronically generated.

Bryan Johnson, Omokoroa.