Statistics (Hansard, 16 November 1989)

§ Mr. Fisher
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his Department has discontinued(a) the collection or (b) the publication of any statistics since 1979.

§ Mr. Ryder
[holding answer 14 November 1989]: Changes in the basis of compilation, presentation and publication of statistical series are made from time to time in response to the requirements of Government and international organisations for statistical information. Other changes reflect changes in administrative systems on which some series are based, the development of new statistical techniques and technological developments affecting the compilation and dissemination of statistical data.
When such changes are made they are fully documented in the relevant statistical publications.

§ Mr Austin Mitchell
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will publish in theOfficial Report a table showing for France and Italy the increase in real interest rates and in the trade-weighted relative export-unit values of the franc and the lira against the deutschmark since the first quarter of 1979, together with the increase in production, in the numbers unemployed and in the trade deficit with Germany in manufactures; and if he will provide similar figures for the United Kingdom;
(2) if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for trade in manufactures in 1970, 1988 and 1989 to date (a) the percentage of United Kingdom exports of manufactures which goes to the EMS countries, (b) the ratio of imports to exports, and (c) the balance of trade in manufacturers in current and 1989 prices;
(3) if he will include in the Official Report a table showing for the United Kingdom, France and Italy the real rate of interest each year since 1979 as measured by the excess of the rate of interest over the rate of increase in (a) prices and (b) earnings.

§ Mr. Norman Lamont
[holding answer 15 November 1989]: I regret that it has not been possible to provide an answer before Prorogation. Therefore, I shall write to the hon. Member and place a copy of the letter in the Library.