§ Matthew TaylorTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 15 January, Ref. 27602, on reputational externalities, for what reason he has not undertaken to place his Department's internal guidance on reputational externalities in the Library; and if he will make a statement. [28934]
§ Mr. Andrew SmithThe Treasury offers advice to other Departments in making appraisals, taking into account the specific circumstances of individual cases. Exemption 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information provides for the confidentiality of internal opinion, advice, recommendation, consultation and deliberation.
§ Matthew TaylorTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with reference to his letter of 11 December 2001, to the hon. Member for Truro and St. Austell, for what reason his Department used reputational externalities as a justification for the choice of discount rate recommended in "Appraisal and Evaluation in Central Government"; and if he will make a statement. [28933]
§ Mr. Andrew SmithReputational externalities have not been used in this way; and my letter of the 11 December does not say that they have been used in this way.