§ Mr. John E. B. Hillasked the Prime Minister what are the main statistical series produced within the Central Statistical Office or by Departments of State that will need to be adapted so as to have a common basis of comparability with statistics produced in the European Economic Community; when such adaptation will take place; and whether it will remain possible without difficulty to compare future with past British series.
§ The Prime MinisterMost of the main statistical series for the United Kingdom are already closely comparable with those for the Community and will require only minor adaptation. Within these main series, however, there are substantial differences in the amount of detail provided and in industrial and other classifications. Good working relationships have already been established with the Statistical Office of the Communities, which has provided copies of its classifications, questionnaires and other documents. These are being studied, but it is not possible at this stage to say when these studies will be completed or when any consequential changes in United Kingdom statistics will be made. The Departments concerned will bear in mind the need to maintain as far as possible comparability with figures for previous periods.