§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to consolidate the analysis and reporting of IT-related statistics, with particular reference to the economic impact of the industry on GDP and GNP; and what assessments she has made of the current economic impact of the IT industry and the user IT dependent business. [23815]
§ Mr. BattleCollection and analysis of statistics on the IT and IT-related industries is the responsibility of the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The surveys conducted by the ONS are mainly to provide information for National Accounts purposes, and not for policy purposes. However, the Department of Trade and Industry regularly has an opportunity to comment on the relevant surveys; some information is collected specifically on behalf of DTI, and the Department has access to the results of the surveys. DTI has no plans at present to alter these arrangements.
The IT, electronics and communications industries have a turnover of over £90 billion and add some £40 billion to UK GDP. They are growing at around seven per cent. per annum. The products and services of this sector impact on nearly all other sectors of the economy to differing degrees. No overall assessment of the economic impact on user IT dependent businesses has been undertaken.
§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what progress she has made in setting up the IT Skills Project Office. [23594]
§ Mrs. RocheThe Skills Project Office was established in July 1997 and submitted its preliminary findings in October 1997. The Office is currently working with Action 2000 on an initial tranche of 12 projects which will help industry tackle the century date change problem, which form part of an overall package of 53 projects aimed at the general IT skills shortage.