Central Statistical Office

HC Deb 15 July 1996 vol 281 cc372-3W

Mr. Matthew Banks

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how the Central Statistical Office performed against its key targets in 1995–96. [37790]

Mrs. Angela Knight

The Central Statistical Office's performance for 1995–96 is described in the agency's annual report and accounts, which are being laid before the House and published today. Copies have been placed in the Library of the House.

The CSO achieved 29 of the 34 published targets, including 18 of the 20 targets relating to the quality of key economic statistics.

Targets for the future will relate to the performance of the Office of National Statistics, which was formed on 1 April 1996 following the merger of the CSO with the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys. Targets for 1996–97 are set out in the ONS business plan 1996–97 to 1998–99, which was published in March.