HC Deb 19 October 1989 vol 158 cc228-9W
Mr. Winnick

To ask the Prime Minister which Departments have been involved in asking civil servants to cost the Labour party's policies; which ones have actually undertaken this costing; and if she will make a statement,

Sir Geoffrey Howe

I have been asked to reply.

Officials stand ready to estimate the cost of proposals for expenditure if asked to do so by their Ministers. A number of departmental Ministers have asked their officials to estimate the cost of specific proposals which are thought to be endorsed by the Labour party. The provision of factual material of this sort by civil servants is consistent with the practice of previous Governments, and with the Cabinet Office rules on propriety.