HC Deb 04 July 2000 vol 353 c106W
Mr. Coleman

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will release the full underlying data set to be used in compiling the new Index of Local Deprivation. [127560]

Ms Beverley Hughes

The current review of the Index of Local Deprivation is on-going. This final index will include local authority district level scores and ranks. The scores and ranks at the ward level will be published at the same time and will be available for each domain of deprivation. The summary report will contain details about where to obtain, sometimes at a charge, the underlying data used to construct the 33 indicators.

Mr. Coleman

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he plans to make an announcement about the new Index of Local Deprivation before 30 July. [127562]

Ms Beverley Hughes

An announcement will be made to the House about the new Index of Deprivation as soon as the Government have completed their consideration of the responses to the consultation.

Mr. Coleman

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if his Department will establish a comprehensive academic peer review of the new Index of Local Deprivation specifically to consider the methodological basis of the proposals. [127561]

Ms Beverley Hughes

The 1999 Review of the Index of Local Deprivation is being carried out by the University of Oxford. In addition to the review being overseen by an inter-department steering committee, the University of Oxford has consulted an advisory panel (with over 40 members) throughout the review. The advisory panel has consisted of a large number of peer academics both inside and outside of the University of Oxford, as well as local authority officials, research professionals and others.

The University of Oxford has also facilitated extensive consultation throughout the 1999 Review. Respondents to the consultation have included other government departments, local authorities, research organisations, academics and other organisations.