§ Sir Anthony Meyerasked the Lord President of the Council what was the total amount of parliamentary time given to the Scotland and Wales Bill 1977, the Scotland Act 1978, and the Wales Act 1978, respectively, including timetable motions on all three measures.
§ Mr. FootThe information is as follows:
Hrs. Mins. Scotland and Wales Bill 1977 134 5 Scotland Act 1978 326 40 Wales Act 1978 178 40
§ Sir Anthony Meyerasked the Lord President of the Council what is his estimate of the total cost to public funds, expressed as a single figure, of the preparation and servicing by civil servants and the discussion by both Houses of Parliament, including the printing costs, and the cost of referendums held in Scotland and Wales on 1 March, of the Scotland and Wales Bill 1977, the Scotland Act 1978, and the Wales Act 1978, respectively.
§ Mr. FootThis information is not available and I regret that to provide it would involve disproportionate cost.
§ Sir Anthony Meyerasked the Lord President of the Council what cost to public funds was involved in the preparation by civil servants of the Scotland and Wales Bill 1977, the Scotland Act 1978, and the Wales Act 1978, respectively.
265W
§ Mr. Charles R. MorrisI have been asked to reply.
This work was co-ordinated by the Constitution Unit of the Cabinet Office. The salary cost of the unit, at Estimate prices, was £197,000 in 1977–78, and £188,000 in 1978–79. Staff in a number of other Departments contributed to the work as part of their regular duties. Details are not held centrally, and could not be provided except at disproportionate cost.