HC Deb 02 May 1978 vol 949 cc11-3W
Mr. Rooker

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will list those

Mr. Les Huckfield

Following is the information:

topics on which it is not his practice to answer parliamentary Questions; and if he will list any changes in practice since 1972, indicating in each case the date on which the change was made and the relevant reference in the Official Report.

Mr. Les Huckfield

It is not possible to provide a definite and exhaustive list of Questions which my right hon. Friend might exceptionally decline to answer on grounds other than cost. Each Question will continue to be considered on its merits but, by way of example, the following questions would fall into this category:—

Details of financial assistance to individual companies except to confirm details of regional development grant and selective assistance published in Trade and Industry;

Matters of commercial confidence including, for example, statistical information about individual businesses;

Individual applicants for industrial development certificates:

Matters which are the responsibility of public bodies, that is, day-to-day matters, including statistics other than national;

Confidential details of research contracts.

On NEB matters, I refer my hon. Friend to the statement to the House by my noble Friend, the then Lord President, on 18th December 1975.—[Vol. 902, cc. 1656–62.]