§ Mr. Nicholas BennettTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will publish the report on the review of Department of Trade and Industry statistics; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MaudeLast July, an efficiency scrutiny was set up in the Department of Trade and Industry to examine the434W arrangements for the collection of economic statistics by DTI, and the methods by which statistical inquiries are undertaken. The scrutiny team, Alan Armstrong of Bristol university and David Rees of the DTI, was asked specifically to consider whether these arrangements struck a satisfactory balance between minimising the burdens placed on business in providing the information required, and meeting the needs for which the data are to be used by Government and other customers, and if not, to make recommendations accordingly. The report of this scrutiny is being published today, and copies have been placed in the Libraries of the House.
The report recommends a number of changes which, by shifting resources in data collection to the areas where they are most needed, will improve the quality of information used in macro-economic statistics. At the same time, the form-filling burden on business will be substantially reduced. Changes being made include conducting surveys less often, approaching fewer people and making forms simpler to complete. The cost to business will be reduced by about a quarter, resulting in savings of about £1.7 million on Government form filling. Further savings of over £500,000 per annum could be expected if EC requirements for statistics can be reduced, and I will be seeking ways of achieving this.
The report's recommendations will be implemented over the next three years, and this has begun. In the light of machinery of Government changes announced to the House by the Prime Minister on 5 April, responsibility for implementation of the recommendations still outstanding will transfer to the Central Statistical Office when these changes take effect. DTI Ministers, who have the lead responsibility for deregulation policy, will agree with the enlarged Central Statistical Office specific objectives to ensure that the burdens on industry are minimised.