HC Deb 23 July 1996 vol 282 cc256-7W
Mr. Steen

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the statistical forms issued to businesses by his Department, indicating the number of each sent out. [38675]

Sir John Wheeler

In 1995, the Northern Ireland! Office and the Northern Ireland Departments conducted or commissioned 86 statistical surveys of businesses. A list of the surveys and the number of forms sent out for each survey is contained in the statistics notice "Statistical Surveys of Businesses by Central Government in Northern Ireland during 1995", a copy of which has been placed in the House of Commons Library.

Northern Ireland Departments took an early initiative to review the continued need for their forms which impact on business. A register of all Northern Ireland forms sent to business is held which allows the overall position to be kept under review. A detailed review of each NI form is carried out once every two years.