§ Mr. BurnsTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how the Central Statistical Office performed against its key targets for 1991–92; and what are the CSO's key targets for 1992–93.
§ Mr. LamontThe Central Statistical Office's performance against its key targets for 1991–92 is described in the agency's annual report, which is published today. All of the CSO's statistics were published on their pre-announced release dates. Nine of the CSO's 11 targets relating to revisions were achieved, as were eight of the nine targets on coherence: there was a high rate of achievement on the targets for response rates; and the agency achieved its targets for running costs and efficiency improvements, though not that for receipts from sales.
The steps taken by the Government since 1989, including the establishment of the enlarged CSO as a separate department, the package of measures announced in May 1990 and the move to executive agency status last 697W November, have all contributed substantially to a significant improvement in the quality of economic statistics. I applaud the efforts CSO staff have made to achieve this.
The CSO's key targets for 1992–93 are also published today as part of the CSO's strategic plan for the 1992–95 period. Copies of both the annual report and strategic plan are being placed in the Library of the House. As in the previous year these targets cover the timeliness of published statistics: the size of revisions; the coherence of GDP and other key economic statistics; the response rates for CSO statistical inquiries; action to minimise compliance costs for business; response times to public requests for information; and the CSO's running costs, efficiency improvements and receipts.
Following the further package of measures to improve the quality of economic statistics announced in November 1991 some of the key targets for 1992–93 have been tightened. I expect the initiatives to improve economic statistics to continue to bear fruit.
Entitlements for 1992–93 cash limits resulting from the carryover of capital underspends Cash limit on Votes Class Vote Department Description Amount £ thousands II 1 Foreign and Commonwealth Office Overseas representation 4,935 II 3 Foreign and Commonwealth Office External broadcasting and monitoring 3,142 III 4 Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Agricultural, food and fishing services 2,000 IV 2 Department of Trade and Industry Support for industry, international trade, statutory and regulatory work, consumer protection and administration 3,133 IV 4 Export Credits Guarantee Administration 2,000 IV 7 Office of Fair Trading 331 V 9 Office of Electricity Regulation 112 VI 1 Department of Employment Programmes and central services 1,497 VII 1 Department of Transport National roads, England 524 VII 2 Department of Transport Administration and transport services 2,000 VII 4 Department of Transport Driver and vehicle licensing 2,000 VII 5 Department of Transport Local roads and transport 1,100 VIII 5 Department of the Environment Central environmental services, etc. 2,865 VIII 6 Department of National Heritage Royal palaces, royal parks, historic buildings, ancient monuments and the national heritage 699 VIII 7 Property Holdings1 Civil accommodation services and administration, etc. 1 VIII 11 Ordnance Survey 1,487 IX 2 Home Office Prisons, England and Wales 1,989 IX 3 Home Office Administration, immigration and police support services, England and Wales 2,000 X 11 Her Majesty's Land Registry2 1 X 12 Public Record Office 1,759 X 13 The Crown Office, Scotland Administration 59 XI 1 Department for Education Schools, research and miscellaneous services 1,977 XI 2 Department for Education Higher and further education 839 XI 4 Department for Education Administration 1,069