HC Deb 11 November 1982 vol 31 cc255-6W
Mr. Race

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment 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 12 November 1979.

Mr. Heseltine

No list of prohibited topics is maintained by my Department. It is my practice to answer all questions on topics falling within my responsibility subject only to restrictions which are generally recognised, notably:

  1. commercially confidential information;
  2. (ii) personal information relating to the appointment or employment of individuals;
  3. (iii) details of the advise given by officials to Ministers;
  4. (iv) information classified for security reasons.

In addition, I am unable to provide information on topics outside my ministerial remit, such as matters which are solely the responsibility of individual local authorities or which relate to the day-to-day management of nationalised industries, Government agencies, or fringe bodies.