§ Mrs. ClwydTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will review the answering of parliamentary questions, with particular reference to blocking answers and disproportionate costs. [17788]
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§ Mr. FreemanThe Government recently reviewed the answering of parliamentary questions as part of their consideration of the Public Service Committee's second report, Session 1995–96 on "Ministerial Accountability and Responsibility". In their response (HC 67), the Government reaffirmed their commitment to openness in all their dealings with Parliament, and published new "Guidance to officials on drafting answers to Parliamentary Questions".
Information that is available to the Government will be withheld only when disclosure would not be in the public interest, this being decided in accordance with relevant statute and the Government's code of practice on access to government information. Where information has to be withheld, the Government are further committed to providing the House with the reason in each case.
The advisory limit, above which Ministers may decide to decline to provide an answer on grounds of disproportionate cost, remains £450, the level set in February 1993.
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many of his answers to parliamentary questions in the last 12 months have exceeded the advisory cost limit; and if he will make a statement. [19335]
§ Mr. FreemanWhere the cost of answering a particular parliamentary question is estimated to exceed £450, it is the general practice for Departments to make it clear that the question could be answered only by incurring disproportionate cost. Given the large number of questions tabled, it would be unreasonable for my Department systematically to calculate the exact cost of answering every single parliamentary question.