Dr. ThomasTo ask the Prime Minister if she will make a statement on the criteria used by Government Departments in judging parliamentary questions to be answerable only at disproportionate cost; if there are any guidelines in force to override financial restrictions if it is in the national interest; and if she will make a statement.
§ The Prime MinisterI refer the hon. Gentleman to my reply of 11 February, at column297.
Any parliamentary question which is likely to involve disproportionate expenditure — currently £200 — is referred to the responsible Minister before significant resources are committed. This amount is currently under review. It is not a rigid limit; it is for the Minister concerned to decide in each case whether there are exceptional circumstances to justify answering a question which would cost more than £200.