HC Deb 22 May 1997 vol 294 cc119-20W
Mr. Don Foster

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to alter the methodology currently used to calculate unemployment figures to reflect more accurately the numbers of people seeking work; and if he will made a statement. [751]

Mrs. Liddell

[holding answer 21 May 1997]: The Director of the Office for National Statistics is responsible for statistical methodology. He is currently reviewing the presentation and dissemination of labour market data. A consultative article has been published in the May 1997 edition of Labour Market Trends.

The proposals set out for consultation reflect the House of Commons Employment Select Committee recommendation that more prominence should be given to the measure of unemployment which is based on the internationally agreed ILO definition.