§ Q1. Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Prime Minister what plans he now has for improving and increasing the quality and quantity of Government statistical services, especially those relating to regional policies.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Harold Wilson)The Government's statistical services are being very considerably extended and strengthened. Many of the developments have already been described in Statistical News; and I hope that it may be possible to publish, later this year, a more comprehensive report on progress and plans.
§ Mr. HamiltonHon. Members greatly appreciate the considerable improvement in the production of regional statistics, but will my right hon. Friend take the matter further, since the Government's record on regional policy since 1964 is extremely impressive?
§ The Prime MinisterIf my hon. Friend would let me know of any further figures which he thinks should be made available, I shall be glad to do what I can to ensure that they are.
§ Mr. Maxwell-HyslopWill the Prime Minister look into the question why the statistics given by the Postmaster-General for the time of delivery of first-class mail bear no relation to the experiences of anyone in the West Country?
§ The Prime MinisterThe Question relates to Government statistical services. I shall be glad to look into any question which the hon. Gentleman cares to send me so that I can see why the experience of himself and others in the West Country seems not to tally with the figures which are available.