HC Deb 10 January 1977 vol 923 c426W
Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what criteria he uses in assessing the value of information given in answer to a Question from an hon. Member and the cost of obtaining the information by his Department when refusing to provide information on the grounds of disproportionate cost.

Mr. Ennals

I am normally prepared to provide information in response to all Questions posed by hon. Members, but where it would appear that the cost of collecting the necessary material would be very substantial I think that it is right for me to draw this to the attention of the hon. Member concerned. It is difficult to prescribe general criteria for deciding whether disproportionate cost is involved in preparing the answer to a Question. The assessment must depend upon the circumstances of each case.

If my hon. Friend has a particular case in mind and cares to write to me, I shall of course look into this.