§ Mr. Derek FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what costs quoted in the document, "New Labour's Public Expenditure Plans", were prepared in his Department; what detailed assumptions and interpretations were provided to officials in his Department to enable preparation of each cost; and what was the total cost to public funds of preparing each estimate. [6346]
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThe Scottish Office, in conjunction with the Treasury, prepared factual material relating to costings published in "New Labour's Public Expenditure Plans" numbered 81, 82, 83 and 89. The detailed assumptions and interpretations that were provided to officials are set out in the reply given today by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary. It is not the normal working practice to keep a record of the time spent in providing factual information to Ministers and it is not therefore possible to offer a reliable estimate of the costs involved.