§ Mr. BercowTo ask the President of the Council (1) how many staff were involved in each of the last three years in preparing draft answers to written parliamentary questions; [49142]
(2) what the cost was to his Department of answering written parliamentary questions in 2001; and how that cost was calculated. [49100]
§ Mr. Robin CookIn the parliamentary Session 2001–02 beginning on 9 June and up until 29 January 2002, 41,366 parliamentary questions were asked to this Government, at a cost of answering of over £5 million.
For the average cost of a parliamentary question, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Financial Secretary, on Thursday 11 April 2002, Official Report, column 582W.
Each Department has a parliamentary section responsible for co-ordinating the preparation of draft answers to written parliamentary questions, drawing on the input of departmental officials.