§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer from the Minister for the Cabinet Office of 11 December 2000,Official Report, columns 47–48W, (1) concerning special advisers, which exercises referred to in the answer have been co-ordinated by the Treasury since January 2000; and if he will place details of the resulting documents in the Library; [144703]
(2) what costings of (a) Liberal Democrat and (b) Conservative Party policies his Department has (i) undertaken and (ii) advised upon in the previous 12 months; and if he will place copies of such costings and relevant background documents in the Library; [146666]
650W(3) what costings of (a) Liberal Democrat and (b) Conservative Party policies his Department has (i) undertaken and (ii) co-ordinated in the previous 12 months; and if he will place copies of such costings in the Library; [146671]
(4) if special advisers in his Department have been involved in (a) co-ordinating, (b) costing and (c) presenting costings of policies of Opposition parties; and if he will make a statement. [146670]
§ Mr. Andrew Smith[holding answer 11 January 2001]The Minister for the Cabinet Office set out in her answer of 11 December 2000,Official Report, columns 47–48W, the long-standing arrangements under successive administrations applying to the costing of policies and pledges of Opposition parties. The Treasury is from time to time consulted by other Departments to ensure that these costings are accurate. It is for individual Ministers to determine the form of presentation.