§ 32. Mr. Burdenasked 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. BennThe 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. BurdenWould 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. BennThis is a question that should be addressed to the Treasury, if it was simply the cost of the Question in 942 that particular case. I was asked to calculate the cost of obtaining the information, which indicated a rather different point.