HC Deb 12 February 1968 vol 758 cc941-2
32. Mr. Burden

asked the Minister of Technology what authorities were consulted in providing the answer to a Question on 7th December, 1965, which asked about the criteria for determining what constitutes an independent British computer industry; and what was the total cost of obtaining the information provided.

Mr. Benn

The answer was given on the authority of my predecessor and I do not think that it would be relevant to give the names of those consulted or attempt to cost their advice.

Mr. Burden

Would the right hon. Gentleman be surprised to hear that a very eminent and independent authority, carrying out investigations into the cost of Parliamentary Questions, has assessed that the Answer to this Question cost over £800?

Mr. Benn

This is a question that should be addressed to the Treasury, if it was simply the cost of the Question in that particular case. I was asked to calculate the cost of obtaining the information, which indicated a rather different point.