§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether, without incurring disproportionate costs, he will give, for the longest and most convenient period of time, the total number of persons in those quasi-autonomous non-government organisations for which he is responsible who have claimed expenses and subsistence and travel allowances, and the totals of all such allowances claimed.
§ Mr. MasonThere is no official definition of the term quasi-autonomous nongovernmental organisation. Members of bodies to which I make appointments are entitled to claim travelling and subsistence expenses incurred in the course of their duties. In practice, however, not everyone claims the expenses to which they are entitled. Detailed information about the claims made is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.