§ Matthew TaylorTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 3 December 2001,Official Report, column 55W, on capital assets, what record the Office for National Statistics keeps of the advice it gives to Departments regarding the accounting treatment of PPPs. [22289]
§ Ruth KellyThe information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Matthew Taylor, dated 12 December 2001:
As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent parliamentary question concerning what record the Office for National Statistics keeps of the advice it gives to Departments regarding the accounting treatment of Public Private Partnerships (PPPs). (22289)The Office for National Statistics (ONS) keeps records of all advice given on classification issues. The ONS has not however been asked for advice on the accounting treatment of capital assets under individual PPPs. This is decided by departments on the basis of generally accepted accounting practice, as specified in the Resource Accounting Manual published by HM Treasury. The National Audit Office audits department's decisions. The agreed treatment is reflected in the national accounts.