§ Mr. Matthew BanksTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if official statistics for the regions of England will in future be published on the basis of the Government office areas rather than the standard statistical regions used at present. [14716]
§ Mrs. Angela KnightResponsibility for general questions on the presentation of official statistics rests with the Director of the Central Statistical Office in his capacity as the head of the Government statistical service. However, I understand that it is now agreed that Government statistical service publications will use the boundaries of the Government offices for the regions as the primary basis for the presentation of statistics from 1 April 1997. Where possible, however, and if required, data will continue to be made available for the standard statistical regions.