Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his policy towards his departmental witness at the Hinkley Point C public inquiry answering questions on the merits of departmental policy.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerAs recognised in rule 12(3) of the rules governing the Hinkley inquiry procedure, it is not customary for an official representative of a Government Department to answer questions on the merits of Government policy. As was made clear by my representative at the first Hinkley pre-inquiry meeting, I see no reason for my Department's witness to do so in this case: the merits of the relevant Government policy have been and will be the subject of parliamentary debate.