To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 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. Members’ 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. (323870)

The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) 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, Official Report, column 15WS.