Ceist:
181 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Finance the average cost of answering a parliamentary question. [25895/00]
Written Answers. - Parliamentary Questions.
In 1982, following a survey in the Civil Service, it was estimated that the average cost of a parliamentary question was about £40. In reply to a parliamentary question in November 1992 the cost was then put at in the region of £65, when account was taken of the general level of inflation over the intervening period. I am advised that applying CPI increases to the above figures would now result in a cost figure of the order of £80. However, the accuracy of any figure so produced would be very questionable, given the long intervening time period, and the changes in work methods and wage levels that have taken place since 1982. Producing a current average cost for answering a parliamentary question would require a detailed Civil Service-wide survey to be undertaken and I have no plans to institute such a survey at this time.