§ Matthew TaylorTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reasons paragraph 42 of his Department's guidance notes on parliamentary questions dated March states that briefings should include supportive statements from members of the Opposition; and if he will make a statement. [59598]
§ Ruth KellyIn order to present as complete a picture as possible of the issue concerned.
§ Matthew TaylorTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of draft parliamentary answers that his Department prepared in January were amended by special advisers prior to final approval by the Minister; and if he will make a statement. [59600]
§ Ruth KellyMinisters are responsible for the answers they give to parliamentary questions.
The Treasury does not maintain records relating to the number of occasions on which Special Advisers have contributed to the drafting of answers. It would, in any case, be inappropriate to disclose information concerning internal consultations on parliamentary questions, as provided for by Exemption 2 of the "Code of Practice on Access to Government Information".