HC Deb 28 June 1991 vol 193 c579W
Mr. Battle

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of civil service staff hours which have been spent producing information used in the production of the document on Labour's public expenditure plans, published on 20 June, and the total cost to the Exchequer thereof.

Mr. Nigel Griffiths

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate(a) the total cost, (b) the total number of man hours and (c) the number of officials in each grade involved in the costings of Labour party proposals included in the letter from the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, which was deposited in the Library on 20 June.

Mrs. Gillian Shephard

[holding answer 27 June 1991]: It is not the normal practice to give details of the time spent by civil servants in carrying out particular tasks for Ministers. This work was undertaken in accordance with guidelines on the role of officials in costing Opposition policies drawn up by the head of the home civil service and published in the Fifth Report of the Treasury and Civil Service Committee for the 1989–90 session.