§ Lord Lipseyasked Her Majesty's Government:
(a) what are the main subjects covered by the General Household Survey; (b) what is its cost; and (c) what are the major deletions, from the General Household Survey over the past ten years. [HL1821]
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyThe information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
Letter to Lord Lipsey from the National Statistician and Registrar General for England and Wales, Office for National Statistics, Mr Len Cook, dated 3 May 2001.
As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Question on the cost of and the main subjects covered by the General Household Survey, as well as its main additions and major deletions (HL1821).
The cost of the General Household Survey this year is £1.43 million. This includes analysis and reporting for 2000–01, fieldwork for 2001–02 and planning and preparation for 2002–03.
Since 1971, the General Household Survey has included questions on population and fertility, family and household information, housing. health, employment and education. Since 2000, smoking and drinking have also been included every year.
Apart from the aforementioned subjects, which are included on a continuous basis, other topics that have been covered periodically include informal carers, elderly people, childcare, contraception, sports participation, burglary and social capital. Prior to 2000, smoking and drinking were covered every two years.