§ Mr. WinnickTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on how many occasions in the last 14 years accurate disclosures of budget information appeared in the Press prior to the Budget; which media outlets they appeared in; and if he will make a statement. [7263]
§ Mr. Gordon BrownMore than once. Speculation, of varying degrees of accuracy, is a traditional feature of the Budget process.
The specific information sought could be assembled only at disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. CashTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the(a) Crown servants and (b) other advisers to Ministers who (i) gave interviews to, (ii) made statements to and (iii) answered questions from journalists or representatives of the Financial Times in the period of 48 hours before the Budget Statement. [7266]
§ Mr. BrownNo pre-Budget briefings were given to the press on Budget measures. Details of the Budget were not given to journalists in advance.
§ Sir Patrick CormackTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer who in his Department was responsible for giving pre-Budget briefings to the press; how recently such briefings were given to theFinancial Times; what specific subjects they covered; and if details of the Budget statement were given to any journalists before he presented them to the House. [7077]
§ Mr. Brown[holding answer 7 July 1997]: No pre-Budget briefings were given to the press on Budget measures. Details of the Budget statement were not given to journalists in advance. However, I and my Ministerial 399W colleagues made clear that we would use the Budget to meet the promises before taking office. We delivered on those promises.