HC Deb 24 November 1975 vol 901 cc60-1W
Mr. Aitken

asked the Prime Minister if he will list separately in the Official Report how many official Government surveys were carried out in the period October 1974 to October 1975; what these surveys were intended to show; how much each one cost; and how long each one took to complete.

The Prime Minister

In this period 712 statistical surveys by central Government or associated bodies, addressed to businesses, local authorities or individuals, were reported to the Survey Control Unit. Of these, 569 surveys were single-time and 143 were continuous; in addition there were some 500 continuous surveys previously notified and still in progress during the period. The primary purpose of these surveys is to assist the Government in framing economic and social policy. The detailed information requested on the surveys is not readily available.