§ Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Industry what reductions have taken place in the statistical services available to his Department; what statistics previously available will either (a) no longer be available, or (b) be available in a modified form; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Trade what reductions have taken place in the statistical services available to his Department; what statistics previously available will either (a) no longer be available, or (b) be available in a modified form; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacGregorI am replying to the two questions as the Departments of Industry and Trade share a common statistical service.
The number of staff employed in the statistics divisions has been reduced from 1,399 at 1, April 1979 to 1228 at 1 May 1981.
The following statistical inquiries have now been stopped:
- Quarterly export prospects survey
- Annual survey of film distributors
- Monthly manufacturers' stocks survey
- Export prices survey (monthly or quarterly)
- Quarterly catering turnover inquiry
- Quarterly motor trades turnover inquiry
- Quarterly survey of sources and uses on company funds
In other inquiries the number of forms sent out and the number of questions asked have been reduced, so there will be less detailed or less frequent information available. An account of the changes which are being made was given in British Business on 27 February 1981. I am satisfied that an effective statistical service will be maintained.