§ Mr. Russell BrownTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish his guidance to Government Departments and other Crown bodies on where Government information should be free or for payment; and, where charges are made, how those charges should be determined. [6461]
§ Mr. Andrew SmithI am placing on the Treasury's website a document "Charges for Information: When and How" (Guidance for Government Departments and Other Crown Bodies). It is intended to help Government Departments and other Crown bodies decide whether574W particular information should be free of charge, charged at a subsidised rate, charged to recover the full costs involved, or (where the private sector produces similar information products and services) charged to recover a profit in the interests of fair competition. Copies of the document are being placed in the Libraries of both Houses.