§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many written parliamentary questions were tabled for answer by his Department in each of the past five years; how many of these were not answered because the information(a) could be obtained only at disproportionate cost, (b) was not held centrally and (c) was not normally disclosed; how many of these could now be answered due to computerisation, more effective and efficient operational systems or more open government; and if he will list each question along with the name and constituency of the right hon. or hon. Member who originally tabled it. [28519]
§ Mr. NelsonThe information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of parliamentary questions, which would have been answered directly by him or his Ministers prior to the establishment of executive agencies, are now referred to the chief executive of such an agency. [28501]
§ Mr. NelsonThe chief executives of the four agencies responsible to the Chancellor of the Exchequer have delegated authority to reply to parliamentary questions on day-to-day operational matters within their responsibilities. Since October 1992, five questions to the Chancellor have been referred to chief executives for reply under these arrangements.