§ Mr. Farrasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when answering Questions for which information is not readily available and which can be obtained only at disproportionate cost, what objective criteria are used in determining the cost of obtaining the data, what values are attached to the parameters employed and under what circumstances and how the final calculation is made; and what levels or ratios must be exceeded before the cost becomes disproportionate.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesAs I have indicated on previous occasions, I always try to give hon. Members the information for which they ask, but where the staff or other costs are substantial I take this aspect into account together with such factors as any special interests of the House or of individual hon. Members. 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.