§ Mr. Geoffrey Finsbergasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer on how many occasions in the year commencing 1st January 1978 information has been prepared by his Department at public expense for circulation to Labour Members alone along the lines of his answer, Official Report, 14th July 1978, column 802; what has been the total cost to public funds; and why he will not make this publicly financed information available to any hon. Member who wishes to receive it.
§ Mr. HealeyThis is the only occasion since January 1978. The cost was minimal and civil servants were involved only to the extent of providing factual material. Circulation was restricted because arrangements for distribution were made by the Labour Party.
§ Mr. Trotterasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the background information on the increase in the salaries of top public servants prepared at public cost for distribution to Labour Members of Parliament, referred to in his answer of 14th July to the hon. Member for Newham, North-West (Mr. Lewis), was distributed to all Labour Members: 875W and why it was not made available to all Members of the House.
§ Mr. HealeyThe background information on the increase in the salaries of the top paid public servants was available to all Labour Members of Parliament. Circulation was restricted because arrangements for distribution were made by the Labour Party. Civil servants were involved only to the extent of providing factual material.