§ 40. Mr. Cleggasked the Minister for the Civil Service what is the annual amount spent by Her Majesty's Government on think tanks.
§ Mr. ShoreGovernment Departments devote some of their resources to fundamental thought on long term planning, research and organisational studies. I do not know whether this sort of activity comes within the hon. Member's definition of a "think tank". The main resource is staff time, and it would involve a disproportionate effort to attempt to cost this separately from the other work of the Departments concerned.
§ Mr. CleggCould the Minister tell me, in addition to that information, how much Government thinking is done in baths, as is done in the Post Office?
§ Mr. ShoreI wondered whether the hon. Gentleman had a serious point in mind. I gather that he had not. It is a little difficult to answer Questions which are as loosely defined as this one about think tanks. If the hon. Gentleman wishes to pursue the matter seriously, he will get a serious reply.
§ Mr. MarksWould my right hon. Friend make a think tank available to the Leader of the Opposition to help him to explain away the trade figures?