§ Mr. RendelTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the extent of internal migration between each region of the United Kingdom; if he will place this research in the Library; and if he will make a statement. [1366]
§ Mr. CabornMy Department is planning to commission research to review existing data and evidence on the determinants of migration flows in England, to help assess the feasibility of formally modelling migration flows as part of the economic modelling of household formation and the demand and need for housing at regional and sub-regional level. The work should be completed towards the end of 1997, and the usual practice is then to publish a research report.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) analyse recent migration statistics to derive population estimates for England and constituent local authority areas. Assumptions about future migration flows between the four countries of the United Kingdom are developed by the Government Actuary's Department, as part of the process of producing national population projections—the latest projections are published by The Stationery Office in the volume "1994-based National population projections". Assumptions about future migration flows within England, based on recent trends and informed by consultation with local authorities, are prepared as part of the development of the ONS sub-national population projections for shire counties, metropolitan districts and London boroughs. The latest projections are published under the title "1993-based Subnational population projections".