There is no formal methodology – each Written Parliamentary Question is judged on its own merits, including whether a response can reasonably be provided within the cost limit. The department follows the guidance produced by the Cabinet Office in the following documents: Guide to Parliamentary Work 2022-10-11 - Guide to Parliamentary Work (publishing.service.gov.uk) Guidance on drafting answers to Parliamentary Questions: drafting-pq-responses.pdf (publishing.service.gov.uk)