§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the information his Department collects centrally; and what steps the Department takes to obtain the desired information to answer hon. Members' written parliamentary questions. [42261]
§ Ms Blears[holding answer 11 May 2002]: The Department collects a wide range of information on health services and personal social services in England to enable it to meet its objectives and responsibilities. A consolidated list is being established of information collected centrally by the Department and can be found on the Department's Information Asset Register on the world-wide web (website address: http://tap.ccta.gov.uk/doh/iar.nsf/ frames2?open). Details of information returns which it is planned routinely to collect from the national health service for 2002–03 is also available on the Department's website (www.doh.gov.uk/ipu/stbop/flowsa.htm).
425WThe Department will always take reasonable steps to obtain the information needed to answer Members' written parliamentary questions provided that obtaining the information requested would not incur disproportionate cost.