§ Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what reductions have taken place in the statistical services available to his Department; what 248W statistics previously available will either (a) no longer be available, or (b) be available in a modified form; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter ReesDetails of reductions in the cost of statistical services in my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer's departments have been published in Cmnd. 8236 and the reports of the Rayner reviews into his departments, which are available in the House of Commons Library.
Reductions in the cost of Inland Revenue statistical services have aimed at increasing the cost-effectiveness of data collection activities while maintaining the range of statistical information.
Reductions in the cost of Customs and Excise statistical services are being achieved by improvements in the processing system and by reducing the amount of checking and validation. There will be no change in the range of statistical output available.
The Treasury makes extensive use of economic data, including national accounts, balance of payments and financial statistics, and it was fully consulted about the savings to be made.
The statistical reviews of my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer's departments have been carefuly conducted and I am satisfied that there will be no loss of essential statistics.