Office for National Statistics

HC Deb 04 May 2004 vol 420 cc1482-3W

Mr. Hoban

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reasons the proposed move of the Office for National Statistics office in Titchfield to Southampton, considered in submissions for the 2002 Comprehensive Spending Review, was not implemented. [164753]

Ruth Kelly

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.

Letter from Peter Walton to Mr. Mark Hoban, dated 4 May 2004:

The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking for what reasons the proposed move of the Office for National Statistics office in Titchfield to Southampton, considered in submissions for the 2002 Comprehensive Spending Review, was not implemented. I am replying in his absence. (164753)

This proposal to relocate from Titchfield was not implemented because the ONS statistical modernisation programme was given highest priority for the available resources at the time of this Spending Review.