HC Deb 27 March 1996 vol 274 c640W
Mr. Donohoe

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many questions were tabled to his Department in each Session since 1987–88; how many were not answered on the grounds of disproportionate cost; what percentage of the total number of questions this represented; how many were not answered on the grounds that the information was not centrally available; and what percentage of the total number of questions this represented. [21148]

Mr. Boswell

The number of questions tabled to this Department in each Session since 1987–88 is as follows:

Session Number of questions tabled
1987–88 2,536
1988–89 3,001
1989–90 2,852
1990–91 1,618
1991–92 790
1992–93 2,697
1993–94 1,925
1994–95 1,846
1995–961 624
1 As at 20 March 1996

These figures have been produced from the POLIES database (Parliamentary On-Line Information System). These figures reflect the number of questions answered and should be treated as indicative only; because of certain factors complete accuracy on departmental activity cannot be provided.

The rest of the information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost, but is a matter of public record.

Mr. Donohoe

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much his Department has spent in total in answering parliamentary questions in each parliamentary Session since 1989–90. [22878]

Mr. Boswell

This Department does not calculate the data requested, and it could be provided only at disproportionate cost.