§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what categories of data are used in gathering information concerning export surveys from Northern Ireland; how the data are collected; and what part the NIERC plays in the gathering of such information. [63962]
§ Mr. IngramExport data for the UK as a whole are gathered by HM Customs and Excise. However, due to the limitations of this data at regional level, the Department of Economic Development and the Industrial Development Board for Northern Ireland jointly commission the Northern Ireland Economic Research Centre (NIERC) to undertake a bespoke annual survey of Northern Ireland sales and exports. NIERC designs the survey questionnaire, collects and analyses the data and assists with the preparation of the survey report for publication.
§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for what reasons the analysis of export behaviour by size of firm was discontinued after the first export survey of 1990; and if she will carry out a retrospective analysis of export data for the period 1990–97. [63964]
§ Mr. IngramA detailed academic report was produced on the first export survey published in 1992 (in respect of 1990 data). Subsequent export survey reports have been produced within a tighter timetable with the objective of giving a snapshot of key export information. Additional information is available on request including the retrospective analysis referred to in the question.