§ Sir Thomas ArnoldTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his policy towards the further development of the CSO.
§ Mr. NelsonThe Central Statistical Office publishes annually its future work plans in its "Programme Strategies". The most recent relates to the period 1994—95 to 1996—97. These plans are rolled forward each year and are revised in line with changes in expenditure provision and business needs.
I announced in a written answer to the hon. Member for Southport (Mr. Banks), 18 November 1994, Official Report, column 12, that a review of the basis on which the Central Statistical Office has been operating as an agency would be conducted. This review is now underway and, if it recommends that the Central Statistical Office should continue as an agency, then a framework document will be drawn up.
I refer also to the answer that the Chancellor of the Exchequer gave to the hon. Member for Southport earlier today in which he announced that he has commissioned work to assess the benefits that would arise from merging the Central Statistical Office with the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys. The results of this assessment would be taken into account in any new framework document.