PMQT Written Answers – 1 May 1996

Below is the text of the written answers relating to Prime Minister’s Question Time from 1st May 1996.

PRIME MINISTER:

Small and Medium Businesses

Mrs. Roche: To ask the Prime Minister what proportion of his Department’s budget was spent on procurement from small and medium enterprises in 1995-96.

The Prime Minister: For these purposes my office is part of the Cabinet Office. I refer the hon. Member to the reply given today by my hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Secretary, Office of Public Service.

Civil Servants (Party Policies)

Mr. Simon Hughes: To ask the Prime Minister what representations he has received in the last six months from individual civil servants or their representative bodies expressing concern that civil servants have been asked to cost policies of opposition political parties; and if he will make a statement.

The Prime Minister [holding answer Tuesday 30 April]: As far as I am aware, none.

Mr. Hughes: To ask the Prime Minister if (i) he and (ii) his Departmental colleagues have in the last six months asked civil servants to cost policies of opposition political parties; and if he will make a statement.

The Prime Minister [holding answer Tuesday 30 April]: Civil servants have, from time to time, been asked to cost Opposition policies, insofar as they can be identified. The guidelines on costing policies of Opposition parties, were submitted as a memorandum to the Treasury and Civil Service Select Committee in 1990, and were published in its fifth report, HC260, Session 1989-90.