Input-Output Tables

HC Deb 14 November 1968 vol 773 c605

29. Mr. Higgins

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs when new input-output tables for the United Kingdom are likely to be published.

Mr. Alan Williams

The Central Statistical Office hopes that the new input-output tables for the United Kingdom distinguishing 70 industry groups will be available about the middle of next year.

Mr. Higgins

As input-output tables will necessarily form the basis of the provisional document on the National Plan, which we think will be ready in December, how is it that those tables are not to be produced until the middle of next year?

Mr. Williams

The delay has been caused by teething problems connected with the computer. In the long term it is better to face those problems and have computer techniques available for processing future statistics.