§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list those topics on which it is not his practice to answer Parliamentary Questions; and if he will list any changes in practice since 1972, indicating in each case the date on which the change was made and the relevant references in the Official Report.
§ Mr. Booth, pursuant to the reply [Official Report, 2nd May 1978; Vol. 949, c. 71], gave the following information:
It is not possible to provide a definitive and exhaustive list of Questions which I might exceptionally decline to answer on grounds other than cost. As in 1972, each Question will continue to be considered on its merits but, by way of example, the following would continue to fall into the category: Questions seeking information regarding
employment, wages and salaries at individual firms or concerning individuals which has been supplied to the Department for statistical purposes subject to statutory or other confidentiality safeguards and other information relating to individual firms or persons given in confidence to officers of my Department in the course of discharging their functions.