§ Mr. Weatherillasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total cost incurred by Government Departments in preparing answers to Members' Questions since 31st March, 1966; and if he will state the average cost of each Question.
§ Mr. MacDermotThe Answer I gave to the hon. Member for Sudbury and Woodbridge (Mr. Stainton) on 29th October, 1965, showed an average cost a year ago of £10 10s. 11d. for oral and £7 11s. 4d. for Written Questions. The cost of preparing that Answer was over £2,000 in the Treasury alone.