§ 15. Mr. Tebbitasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will state the total of expenditure to date incurred by the Organising Committee of British Aerospace; and if he will break down that total to show how much has been spent upon: (a) taxable emoluments of members of the committee, (b) non-taxable emoluments of members of the committee, (c) other salaries and expenses, (d) office rent and allied expenses, (e) hospitality, food and drink, and (f) travel.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Industry (Mr. Les Huckfield)I have nothing to add to my reply to the hon. Member for Hastings (Mr. Warren) on 20th January.
§ Mr. TebbitWhy not?
§ Mr. HuckfieldBecause I consider it was a very good and reasonable reply.
§ Mr. GryllsDoes that mean that yet again a Minister of the Department of Industry is refusing to answer Questions about a large sum of public money that has been spent by the Organising Committee? Will he continue to refuse to answer my hon. Friend's sensible Question?
§ Mr. HuckfieldI do not think that the hon. Gentleman has seen the answer that I gave. In fact, I gave a reasonable breakdown of the expenses incurred by the Organising Committee. If the hon. Gentleman has not seen that answer, or if he does not understand a particular category, why does he not table his own Question?