HC Deb 13 July 1998 vol 316 cc63-4W
Mr. Timms

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the efficiency with which the Office for National Statistics delivers its statistical outputs. [50672]

Mrs. Liddell

In order to ensure that the Office for National Statistics (ONS) provides the best service possible, I am today announcing a review of the way in which the ONS delivers its outputs in order to ensure that it makes best use of the resources available. This review will be taken forward by external consultants who will examine the efficiency with which the ONS delivers its outputs and will also examine the scope for radical changes for both direct service delivery and support services, for example through increased public/private partnerships, business process re-engineering and rationalisation.

The review will be steered by a group with an independent chair. It is envisaged that it will report by the end of the year.