PMQT Written Answers – 10 March 1997

Below is the text of the written answers relating to Prime Minister’s Question Time from 10th March 1997.

PRIME MINISTER:

Parliamentary Questions

Mr. Flynn: To ask the Prime Minister how many of his answers to parliamentary questions in the last 12 months have exceeded the advisory cost limit; and if he will make a statement.

The Prime Minister: Where the cost of answering a particular parliamentary question is estimated to exceed £450, it is the general practice for Departments to make clear that the question could be answered only by incurring disproportionate cost. Given the number of questions tabled, it would be unreasonable for my office to calculate the exact cost of answering every single parliamentary question.

Parliamentary Finances

Mr. Winnick: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the reasons why he will not refer the subject of party finances to the committee chaired by Lord Nolan; and if he will make a statement.

The Prime Minister: The Home Affairs Select Committee has already considered the question of party funding.

Engagements

Mr. Donohoe: To ask the Prime Minister what official engagements he undertook in Ayrshire on 28 February.

The Prime Minister: None.

Private Finance Initiative

Mr. Milburn: To ask the Prime Minister if he will provide a breakdown by project of PFI schemes for which his office is responsible as identified in table 5.5 of the Red Book.

The Prime Minister [holding answer 6 March 1997]: For these purposes, my office is part of the Cabinet Office. In 1996, the Cabinet Office let one PFI project–the provision of the Government’s metropolitan telephone service, involving capital expenditure of £1.25 million in each of the years covered by table 5.5 of the Red Book. The figures for this project have been included in the totals given in the Red Book, but were not given a separate entry in table 5.5 where figures are shown to the nearest £10 million.