§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what use is made by the Government of the statistical information obtained from Intrastat returns. [40836]
§ Ruth KellyHM Customs and Excise collect statistics for intra Community trade via the Intrastat system. Statistical data are supplied to other Government Departments to enable them to carry out their economic and strategic obligations.
Data from Intrastat returns are a necessary component of the Office for National Statistics' (ONS) monthly trade first release and is a significant part of the Quarterly Balance of Payments (BOP) and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) data. The data appear in three economic indicators that are widely used across Government, in particular in HM Treasury and the Bank of England, to assess the economic performance of the UK.
A number of other Government Departments and devolved Administrations with policy interests in overseas trade, such as the DTI and the Welsh Assembly Government use the data for their own needs. It is used to evaluate global markets and in the development of regional international trade strategies.
The Defence Analytical Services Agency uses the data for reporting the export and import of defence equipment and the defence balance of payments for trade in services and for estimating UK employment dependent on defence equipment exports.
The Defence Export Services Organisation uses the information for the reporting of statistics on exports of military equipment, published in the annual report on Strategic Export Controls.
Customs supply data to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) for, among other uses, compiling Government reports, e.g. BSE and foot and mouth.
§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he plans to simplify the classification system used to identify products under the Intrastat system. [40837]
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§ Ruth KellyHM Customs and Excise collect statistics for intra-Community trade via the Intrastat Supplementary Declaration. Declarations can be submitted on paper or electronically.
Intrastat, including the classification system used to identify products, is governed by European legislation. There are currently no plans to simplify the classification system.