HC Deb 25 June 1959 vol 607 cc1375-6
20. Mr. Skeffington

asked the Minister of Education whether his statistical department has yet been reorganised.

Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd

No, Sir, but I am taking steps to produce more useful and up-to-date statistics for technical education.

Mr. Skeffington

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that his own Parliamentary Secretary said only a few months ago that looking at figures in the Ministry's reports was like looking up trains in last year's Bradshaw? Is it not very difficult for hon. Members to see the practical significance of some of the right hon. Gentleman's proposals when statistics are eighteen months to two years out of date? Should he not look at this matter again?

Mr. Lloyd

We are looking at it, and we are also in touch with the Treasury Organisation and Methods Division with a view to applying automatic data processing to the preparation of these statistics.

Mr. Skeffington

Is it not a fact that there is only one statistician in the right hon. Gentleman's Department?