asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will analyse in detail the system in operation for costing parliamentary questions and give examples relating to unemployment, council housing and social security matters when specific questions involving details are concerned.

The last analysis of staff time involved in answering Parliamentary Questions was in 1965. The results have been updated twice to allow for increases in staff costs. No separate figures are available for the subjects specified. I am however arranging for certain information to be obtained and will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.