§ 35. Mr. Hugh Jenkinsasked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will list the official publications which, in the normal way, supply detailed information about Government Departments.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Civil Service Department (Mr. David Howell)The main official publications containing information about Government Departments are the Official Handbook on Britain 1971, the Annual Estimates, the British Imperial Calendar, and the quarterly publication entitled "Her Majesty's Ministers and Heads of Public Departments". In addition, several Departments publish annual reports.
§ Mr. JenkinsIs the Parliamentary Secretary aware that in none of these publications can one find any full information about the activities of the Central Policy Review Staff? Can he tell the House how many people in the C.P.R.S.—the "think tank" as it is called—are engaged in examining Concorde? Can he also tell us whether it is true that as a result of their examination they have come to the 1580 conclusion that each Concorde will cost £21 million, and that a subsidy of £12 million per aircraft will be required.
§ Mr. HowellThat is pure speculation. The Central Policy Review Staff is an integral part of the Cabinet Office, and my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister made quite clear the position that the Staff are giving advice to Ministers, and that that is their status.
§ Mr. LiptonIs the Parliamentary Secretary aware that although the Prime Minister yesterday stated that the names and salaries of members of the Central Policy Review Staff are announced as and when the appointments are made, these announcements have not yet reached the Library of the House of Commons? Will he arrange for a complete list of the members of the Staff, and their salaries, to be deposited in the Library of the House?
§ Mr. HowellI will certainly look into the matter.