HC Deb 25 May 1982 vol 24 c296W
Mr. Field

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make available to non-governmental research institutes his Department's tape from which "Low Income Families—1977" was produced; given the change in methodology employed on the tapes, whether previous tapes could also be released; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Newton

[pursuant to his reply, 17 May 1982, c. 45–6]: I regret that the necessary resources are not available to support an extension of the Department's statistical services in this way.

Mr. Field

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what savings resulted from his decision not to produce the booklet "Low Income Families—1978";

(2) what was the cost of producing "Low Income Families—1979"; and what would be the additional costs if the analysis were produced annually, and within the six months of receiving the family expenditure data tape from the Department of Employment;

(3) if he will estimate the number of man hours and the costs which would be involved for calculating the low-income families data on a continuous basis as the data are collected.

Mr. Newton

[pursuant to his reply, 17 May 1982, c. 45–6]: Following a preliminary assessment of the many factors involved, I regret that it would be disproportionately expensive to produce this information.

Mr. Field

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will now publish the six small tables which make up "Low Income Families—1979" in the Official Report;

(2) if he will publish in the Official Report all the available data contained in the booklet "Low Income Families—1979" for each year since 1972; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Newton

[pursuant to his reply, 17 May 1982, c. 45–6]: As I explained in my reply to the hon. Member on 7 April 1982—[Vol. 21 c. 413–14]—I am unable to justify the cost of reproducing these tables in the Official Report.

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