HL Deb 10 July 1968 vol 294 cc942-3

2.38 p.m.

LORD MITCHISON

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether any estimate of the cost of a Departmental Committee is made before setting it up.]

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, Departments naturally take into account, along with other factors, the likely cost in terms of staff and money when deciding to set up a Committee.

LORD MITCHISON

My Lords, is my noble friend aware that it is occasionally difficult to find out what a Committee has actually cost? The Fulton Committee cost over £51,000, but a voluminous Report on the reorganisation of eggs is unpriced.

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, I am afraid that I cannot help my noble friend on particular Committees. However, if he cares to put down a Question about a particular Committee, I will certainly find out the answer.