§ Mr. Raceasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list those topics on which it is not his practice to answer parliamentary questions; and if he will list any changes in the practice of his Department since 15 November 1979.
§ Mr. RidleyMy right hon. and learned Friend may decline to answer questions on matters which are primarily the responsibility of another Minister or when they concern the day-to-day administration of a nationalised industry, or where the cost of an answer would be excessive. Otherwise, each question will continue to be answered on its merits, except that questions will not be answered, for example, on the tax affairs and so on of individual persons and companies or on the immediate prospects in the domestic and external financial markets which would prejudice the operations of the authorities in those markets. There have been no changes in this practice since 15 November 1979.