Written question asked by Gordon Prentice (Labour) on Wednesday, 3 November 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 15 November 2004. It was answered by Tony Blair (Labour) on Monday, 15 November 2004 on behalf of the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister

Question: To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to Lord Butler's evidence to the Select Committee on Public Administration on 21st October, what assessment he has made of Lord Butler's statement on the number of Cabinet meetings which take place in the absence of tabled papers.

Answer: Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to Lord Butler's evidence to the Select Committee on Public Administration on 21 October 2004, what assessment he has made of Lord Butler's statement on the number of Cabinet meetings which take place in the absence of tabled papers. [196771] The Prime Minister: The Cabinet receives substantive oral presentations at most of its meetings. In addition, it considers papers as necessary. Cabinet Committees transact a very large amount of business on the basis of tabled papers.

Secondary information