Departmental Written Questions

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what methodology his Department used to determine whether answers to Questions in the formulation if he will set out with statistical information related as directly as possible to the tabling hon. Member’s constituency the effects on that constituency of his Department’s policies since 1997 could be provided without incurring disproportionate cost; and if he will make a statement. (323860)

The Department seeks to answer all parliamentary questions that do not incur disproportionate cost. Disproportionate cost is determined via a disproportionate cost threshold (DCT). The current DCT is £800, announced in Parliament by the Treasury on 20 January 2010.

A standard template was devised for use in response to all such questions. This standard template drew on a pre-existing central repository of departmental information, with contributions from NDPBs where appropriate. Using a standard template, which could be modified depending on the constituency, ensured that relevant information could be provided but in a format and content that did not incur disproportionate cost.