§ Mr. Ian TaylorTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action he intends to take to ensure that overseas trade statistics will be published and available following the agreement of the House of Commons (Services) Committee that a return of statistics relating to overseas trade need no longer be laid before the House.
§ Mr. MaplesFollowing consultation with the House authorities and with the approval of the House of Commons (Services) Committee, it has been agreed to cease the requirement for overseas trade statistics (OTS) to be laid before the House.
The OTS will continue to be published by HMSO for the Central Statistical Office as a monthly and annual business monitor, (MM20 and MA20) "Overseas Trade Statistics", copies of which are and will continue to be available in the statistical section of the Library (and by green demand forms from the Vote Office). Summary information held on the CSO's database in the form of time-series can also be obtained by the Library.