§ Ms CorstonTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what account he took of the proposed merger between the Central Statistical Office and the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys announced in his answer of 25 April to the hon. Member for Southport (Mr. Banks),Official Report, columns 407–08, of the responsibilities for the preparation and analysis of data about absolute and overall poverty agreed at the world summit for social development in March 1995, with particular reference to articles 18 to 41. [26770]
§ Mr. NelsonThe purpose of the proposed merger between the Central Statistical Office and the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys is to meet a widely perceived need for greater coherence and compatibility in Government statistics, for improved presentation and for easier public access. In making his announcement about the proposed merger by right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor took no specific account of the responsibilities for the preparation and analysis of data about absolute and overall poverty agreed at the world summit for social development in March 1995. The CSO and OPCS are, however, contributing to development of the statistical response to the social summit in the context of the merger proposals.