§ Mr. Michael Marshallasked the Secretary of State for Trade how many companies are involved in the Business Statistics Office's inquiry into retail trading for 1977; and what is the total cost of this exercise to date.
§ Mr Meacher, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 21st March 1977; Vol. 928, col. 383], gave the following information:
About 30,000 letters have been sent out giving advance notice of the inquiry, but it is hoped that the number of forms which will have to be completed will be somewhat lower. The cost incurred by the Business Statistics Office to date is £14,000. I am examining how far the sampling fractions for 1977 can be reduced without prejudice to the required degree of accuracy.