§ Mr. David Huntasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many surveys or statistical inquiries his Department currently has in hand; how many civil servants are involved therewith; and what is their estimated cost to public funds.
§ Mr. GoldingThis Department is currently carrying out 12 statistical inquiries related to employment, earnings, labour costs, prices and family expenditure. Of these, five are made annually, two mainly annually but partially twice yearly, one quarterly, three monthly and one is ad hoc. In addition three surveys of a research character, commissioned by this Department, are currently in progress. I regret that estimates of the numbers engaged on, and the costs of, these inquiries could only be segregated from the numbers and costs appropriate to other statistical and administrative work at disproportionate expense.