§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Prime Minister on what basis Her Majesty's Government decline to give information in replying to parliamentary questions on the grounds that this is not available without incurring disproportionate costs, in circumstances where the information is readily available in public records.
§ The Prime MinisterIt is a well-established convention that Ministers may decline to reply to parliamentary questions on grounds of disproportionate costs. Such costs can arise even where the information requested is available in public records; for example, if it is widely dispersed. It is for individual Ministers to decide particular cases.