§ Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Energy what reductions have taken place in the statistical services available to his Department; what 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. David HowellCmnd 8236 shows a reduction of 10 in the manpower devoted to the provision of statistical services in the Department of Energy between May 1979 and April 1984. A reduction of five had been made by June 1981.
The extent of reductions in statistics previously available is not yet known since this is subject to negotiations which are not yet complete, but is is not anticipated that there will be any loss of statistics which are essential to the Department. Most of the reductions in 271W available statistics which are envisaged arise from reductions in those reported to international organisations, and most of the modifications from a rationalisation of the collection and processing of oil statistics.