HC Deb 14 February 1989 vol 147 c114W
Mr. Fishburn

To ask the Prime Minister if she will list the budget for and the number of people employed by the Central Statistical Office over the past five years.

The Prime Minister

The net expenditure of the Central Statistical Office for each of the financial years 1984–85 to 1988–89 and the number of staff employed at 1 April in each year are given in the table:

Financial

year

Number of

staff

Net

expenditure

£ million

1984–85 191 3.8
1985–86 187 3.3
1986–87 1200 3.5
1987–88 173 3.0
1988–89 160 3.2
1 Twenty-five computer staff were transferred to Treasury between 1 April 1986 and 1 April 1987.

Mr. Fishburn

To ask the Prime Minister what funds have been spent by the Central Statistical Office buying in statistical services or market research from the private sector.

The Prime Minister

In the past, CSO has spent very little on buying in statistical or market research services. In 1988ߝ89 it expects to spend around £1,000. However, in 1989–90, a programme of external studies and research into problem areas of the national accounts undertaken by individuals and organisations in the private sector amounting to over £100,000 has been planned.

Mr. Fishburn

To ask the Prime Minister what income was generated last year by the Central Statistical Office from the commercial sale of its services to the private sector.

The Prime Minister

Information is not available in the precise form requested. In 1987–88 total income to the CSO from the sale of publications was £314,000. In the same year sales to the private sector from the CSO commercial databank service generated £34,000.

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