§ Mr. Beithasked the Secretary of State for Trade what estimate his Department has made of the time it would take an average concern to complete the questionnaire issued as part of the inquiry into wholesaling and dealing for 1974 by his Department's Business Statistics Office, Newport; and whether he is satisfied that the information called for is necessary.
§ Mr. Clinton DavisThe time it will take a business to complete a questionnaire will depend upon the type of form received and how readily the business has the information available. Three types of form are being used; only the largest businesses will be requested to supply the full range of information, while the smallest businesses will be asked to complete a much simpler form. Estimates may be given where difficulty may arise in providing precise figures. I am satisfied 571W that the information called for is necessary. This is the first comprehensive inquiry into wholesaling for nine years and the list of topics has been kept to the minimum which will meet the needs of Government and certain other users. Plans for the inquiry have been scrutinised by the CSO Survey Control Unit and endorsed by the Census of Distribution Advisory Committee.