§ Mr. ColemanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what extra work is being carried out on the Index of Local Deprivation concerning(a) factor analysis, (b) shrinkage and (c) exponential distribution; and if he will make a statement. [118552]
§ Ms Beverley HughesAll of the points raised during the consultation on the methodology have been considered and where necessary investigated through further data testing. A detailed response to the consultation, including the points raised on factor analysis, shrinkage and the exponential distribution will be released at the same time as we publish the new Index.
§ Mr. ColemanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the 1999 rankings of local authority wards by level of deprivation will be released. [118551]
§ Ms Beverley HughesThe Index of Local Deprivation will be published within the next few months. At the same time all of the 1999 rankings of wards will be released.
§ Mr. ColemanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what consultation his Department is planning to hold with(a) the Local Government Association, (b) special interest groups of metropolitan authorities and (c) the Association of London Government before the publication of the new index of local deprivation. [118555]
§ Ms Beverley HughesThe review of the Index of Local Deprivation has been subject to four rounds of consultation lasting 167 days in all. In addition the review has been overseen by a large inter departmental steering committee which included a representative from the Local Government Association. No further rounds of consultation are planned.
§ Mr. ColemanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will release the new information on the index of local deprivation gathered as a consequence of the recent consultation exercise; and when the summary index on the new proposals will be published. [118553]
§ Ms Beverley HughesThe new Index of Local Deprivation will be published within the next few months. A detailed document outlining our response to the consultation will be released at the same time.
§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to publish the study indexing poverty and prosperity by local authorities, compiled for his Department by Oxford university. [118498]
§ Ms Beverley HughesThe Index of Local Deprivation which covers all local authority districts and wards in England will be published within the next few months.