§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Lord President of the Council how the level at which it is decided that a parliamentary written question could be answered only at disproportionate cost is evaluated.
§ Mr. RyderI have been asked to reply. The disproportionate cost level is based on an interdepartmental survey of the cost of answering parliamentary questions and is set at a level to identify and draw to ministerial attention the most expensive 1 to 2 per cent. That cost level is kept under review by the Treasury and currently stands at £250.