§ Mr. FisherTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which statistics his Department has discontinued(a) the collection and (b) the publication of since 1989. [32869]
§ Mrs. Angela KnightNumerous changes in the basis of compilation, presentation and publication of statistics occur in response to the requirements of Government, business and the wider community, including international organisations, for statistical information. Other changes reflect changes in administrative systems on which some series are based, the development of new statistical techniques and technological developments affecting the compilation and dissemination of statistical data.
When such changes are made, they are fully documented in the relevant statistical publications. Also, for example, the published annual reports of the former Central Statistical Office since 1991–92 have listed all the surveys of businesses carried out. To bring together all the relevant information on statistics collected and published would involve disproportionate cost.