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White Papers

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on how many occasions in the past 12 months confidential final revise proof copies of White Papers have been made available under embargo to (a) the Lobby and Upper Gallery and (b) members of other organised groups of correspondents, before publication; and if he will make a statement. [59877]

Mr. Boateng: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on 23 November 2001, Official Report, column 584W.

Public Services Productivity

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 13 March 2002, Official Report, column 1106W, on public services productivity, what seminars his Department plans on the paper; what research his Department plans to commission on the paper; and if he will make a statement. [60003]

Mr. Boateng: In preparing the paper, as with the public services agenda more widely, the Treasury is taking account of the wide range of expertise and research findings, including the advice of the Public Services Productivity Panel. The Treasury organises seminars on a variety of issues where such discussions can help guide policy.

Growth and Stability Pact

Mr. Howard: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with the French Government about the operation of the growth and stability pact. [60591]

Ruth Kelly: I refer the right hon. and learned Gentleman to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws) on 23 May 2002, Official Report, column 574W.

Greater London Economy

Mr. Cox: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with business representatives on the performance of the Greater London economy; and if he will make a statement. [60711]

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Ruth Kelly: The Chancellor and other Treasury Ministers meet regularly with business representatives from all regions and countries of the UK, including Greater London. These discussions cover a wide range of issues, and the Government values the insights gained.

Poverty

Mrs. Lawrence: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the role of international trade in the reduction of poverty in the poorest countries. [60559]

Ruth Kelly: In the last 40 years those developing countries which have managed to be more open and trade more in the world economy have seen faster growth rates than those which have remained closed. From the early 1970s to the early 1990s, developing countries that were able to pursue growth through trade grew at least twice as fast as those that kept their tariffs high and their doors closed to imports and competition.

Full trade liberalisation could lift at least 300 million people out of poverty by 2015. Even diminishing protection by 50 per cent. in agriculture and in industrial goods and services would increase the world's yearly income by nearly $400 billion: a boost to growth of 1.4 per cent. All countries and regions stand to benefit, with developing countries gaining an estimated $150 billion a year and higher than average increases in GDP growth.

The WTO's new trade round, referred to as the Doha Development Agenda, contains a package of commitments to progress in areas that will lead to major gains for developing countries and the poorest people in these countries.

We need an approach which ensures that Poverty and Social Impact Assessments are undertaken of key reforms, including trade, to ensure that policy options and trade-offs are discussed, and that reforms are properly designed. Where negative consequences exist, appropriate measures should be put in place to protect vulnerable countries and people from an overly rapid transition to a system of liberalised trade. The IMF and World bank have committed to undertake Poverty and Social Impact Assessments of reforms, and to promote the integration of trade into developing countries' poverty reduction strategies. We are working hard to support this process.

Capital Modernisation Fund

Mr. Salmond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what total funding allocation has been awarded to the Capital Modernisation Fund for the financial years (a) 2000–01, (b) 2001–02, (c) 2002–03 and (d) 2003–04; and what the breakdown of expenditure was in monetary terms and percentage terms per annum for (i) England, (ii) Scotland, (iii) Wales and (iv) Northern Ireland. [60635]

Mr. Boateng: Table 1.11 in the Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses 2002–03 (CM 5401) sets out the Capital Modernisation Fund allocations made to each Department and to the devolved Administrations. The allocations to the devolved Administrations relate to devolved matters only and are calculated according to the Barnett formula.

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Performance Targets

Tony Wright: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the performance targets that his Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies are required to meet, apart from those set out in the public service agreements for 1999 to 2002 and 2001 to 2004; and if he will specify for each target (a) who sets it and (b) who monitors achievement against it. [60463]

Ruth Kelly: Performance targets are set out in each Department's Public Service Agreement and supported by detailed Service Delivery Agreements. Other targets devised by Departments, their agencies and non- departmental public bodies (NDPBs) do not fall within the framework of "performance targets" as established by the Treasury. All the formal performance targets for HM Treasury and its agencies—the Debt Management Office, the National Investment and Loans Office and the Office of Government Commerce—are set out in HM Treasury's 2002 departmental report (Cm 5425), which is due to be published shortly. The NDPBs for which the Chancellor is responsible—the Public Services Productivity Panel, the Statistics Commission and the Royal Mint Advisory Committee on the Design of Coins, Medals, Seals and Decorations—publish information, following best practice, on their role and achievements in their annual reports, but do not have performance targets that are within the framework as defined above.

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Invest to Save Budget

Mr. Salmond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what total funding allocation has been awarded to the Invest to Save Budget for the financial years (a) 2000–01, (b) 2001–02, (c) 2002–03 and (d) 2003–04; and what the breakdown was of expenditure in monetary terms and percentage terms per annum for (i) England, (ii) Scotland, (iii) Wales and (iv) Northern Ireland. [60636]

Mr. Boateng: In the years 2000–01, 2001–02, 2002–03 funding was allocated to projects in England, with funds allocated to the other regions in accordance with the Barnett consequentials calculations. The exceptions to this were projects whose scope encompassed the UK. It should be noted that projects led by the police in Wales are eligible for funding under the allocation for England as the Police Service for England and Wales is still a unitary body.

Allocations for England in 2003–04 are dependant on the successful bids from the fifth bidding round of ISB. With allocations to the other regions being decided in accordance with the Barnett consequentials calculations. The maximum budget for 2003–04 is £50 million for all regions.

Allocations in 2000–01, 2001–02 and 2002–03 were as follows (figures rounded up) ¹ :

					Wales
	England(25)		Scotland		Barnett		Non-Barnett(26)		Northern Ireland
	(£000)	(Percentage)	(£000)	(Percentage)	(£000)	(Percentage)	(£000)	(Percentage)	(£000)	(Percentage)
2000–01	60,444	87.3	4,997	7.2	2,269	3.3	—	—	1,561	2.3
2001–02	61,073	81.8	8,802	11.8	4,189	5.6	325	0.4	318	0.4
2002–03	69,080	87.3	5,702	7.2	2,665	3.4	—	—	1,717	2.2

⁽²⁴⁾ This table give the total amount allocated to projects for their duration, this will not necessarily be the amount drawn down by Departments in that year.

⁽²⁵⁾ This includes ISB projects with a UK wide scope.

⁽²⁶⁾ Projects with only Welsh police as partners.

Committee Mandates

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the mandate of the Advisory Committee on the Community's own resources is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [58437]

Ruth Kelly: The roles and responsibilities of the Advisory Committee on the Communities' Own Resources are set out in Articles 20 and 21 of Council Regulation (EC, EURATOM) No. 1150/2000.

During the past 12 months, the committee has met on five occasions (two for Traditional Own Resources, one for VAT, one for Forecasting and one for Audit). In accordance with Article 20 of Regulation No. 1150/2000, each member state shall be represented on the committee by no more than five officials. The UK is usually represented by one or two officials from HM Customs and Excise except in the case of the Forecasting meeting which is usually attended by two officials from HM Treasury and one from HM Customs and Excise.

The information regarding the annual cost of the Committee's work to public funds can be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.

The items currently under consideration by the Advisory Committee are questions concerning the application of the regulation especially in relation to financial statements and irregularity reports provided by member states, inspection from the Commission, and audit procedures.

Accountability and transparency to Parliament is ensured by the regular EU scrutiny process. After consulting the Advisory Committee the Commission produces a summary report for the previous financial year which is sent to the European Parliament and Council. The report is submitted to Parliament with an Explanatory Memorandum which is examined by the Scrutiny Committees.

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the mandate of the Confidentiality of Statistics Committee is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list

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the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [58445]

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

Letter from Len Cook to Mr. John Bercow, dated May 2002:

As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about the European Union Confidentiality of Statistics Committee. (58445)

The roles and responsibilities of the Confidentiality of Statistics Committee are set out in articles 7 and 8 of Council Regulation (EEC, Euratom) 1588/90 of 11 June 1990.

Since the start of May 2001, the Committee has met twice. The UK is represented by one senior official from the Office for National Statistics.

The information regarding the annual cost of the Committee's work to public funds can only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

The Committee is purely advisory. It deals with general issues relating to ensuring that data provided in European releases to the public and researchers maintain the confidentiality of individual's information and advises the Commission accordingly.

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the mandate of the Committee on monetary, financial and balance-of-payments statistics is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [58443]

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

Letter from Len Cook to Mr. John Bercow, dated May 2002:

As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about the European Union Committee on Monetary, Financial and Balance of payments statistics (CMFB). (58443)

The role and responsibilities of the CMFB are set out in European Council Decision 91/115/EEC of 25 February 1991, amended by Council Decision 96/174/EC of 26 February 1996.

Since the start of May 2001, the Committee met twice. The UK is represented by one senior official from the Office for National Statistics and one representative from the Bank of England.

The information regarding the annual cost of the Committee's work to public funds can only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Items currently under consideration include statistical requirements for the conduct of monetary policy in the euroarea, financial services statistics, structural indicators, public finance statistics, quality indicators and developments in balance of payments statistical collection systems.

The Committee is purely advisory with its opinion published alongside relevant Eurostat Decisions.

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the mandate of the Committee on the European Communities Statistics Programme is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under

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its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [58439]

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

Letter from Len Cook to Mr. John Bercow, dated May 2002:

As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about the European Union Statistical Policy Committee. (58439)

The role and responsibilities of the Statistical Policy Committee (SPC) are set out in Council Decision 89/382/EEC(Eurotom) of 19 June 1989.

Since the start of May 2001, the SPC met four times. As National Statistician I am the UK representative, with the Committee rules allowing an alternate.

The information regarding the annual cost of the Committee's work to public funds can only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

The Committee is currently discussing a range of issues related to the requirements for European statistics. In addition, the SPC is the nominated comitology committee for a range of EU statistical legislation.

Proposals for significant statistical legislation are subject to co-decision. They are submitted to Parliament along with Explanatory Memoranda and are examined by the Scrutiny Committees. Minor changes are subject to comitology procedures.

Together with Member States, the Commission is currently conducting a review to bring existing legislation on the conduct of comitology committees into line with Council Decision 1999/468/EC, to "simplify the requirements for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission". As an obligation to this Decision, the Commission undertook to publish an annual report on the working of committees. The first report was deposited in the Libraries of both Houses on 26 February 2002 (Com (2001) 783 Final.

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the mandate of the European Advisory Committee on statistical information in the economic and social spheres (CEIES) is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [58442]

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

Letter from Len Cook to Mr. John Bercow, dated May 2002:

As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about the European Advisory Committee on Statistical Information in the Economic and Social Spheres (CEIES). (58442)

The role and responsibilities of the CEIES are set out in Decision 91/116/EEC of 25 February 1991. As National Statistician I am a member of CEIES. In addition, the Council may appoint 2 representatives from each member state. These members act in a personal and honorary capacity.

The information regarding the annual cost of the Committee's work to public funds can only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

CEIES is purely advisory. It assists the Council and Commission to undertake statistical policy decided by the EU. They advise on the objectives, priorities, and nature of information require to support EU policy.

10 Jun 2002 : Column 859W

Since the start of May 2001, the committee met once in plenary and organised thematic seminars as follows:

Labour market statistics—towards enlargement 14–15 November 2002

Innovative solutions to providing micro-data 26–27 September 2002

Active aging 13–14 May 2002

The economy: Key measurement issues 4–5 March 2002

Agricultural statistics and consumer information—meeting new needs 19–20 November 2001

Inflation in Europe—different measures and their uses 4–5 October 2001

Measuring lifelong learning 25–26 June 2001

Health and safety at work EU statistics 10–11 March 2001

Attendance at thematic seminars organised by the Committee is by open invitation.

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what the mandate of the EEC-Latvia Customs Co-operation Subcommittee is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement; [59032]

(2) what the mandate of the Customs Co-operation Committee (EEC-Turkey) is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement; [59047]

(3) what the mandate of the Customs Section of the Joint Committee (EEC-Norway) is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement; [59053]

(4) what the mandate of the EEC-Slovak Republic Customs Co-operation Subcommittee is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement; [59026]

(5) what the mandate of the Customs section of the Joint Committee (EEC-Switzerland-Liechtenstein) is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement; [59051]

(6) what the mandate of the Customs Section of the Joint Committee (EEC-Iceland) is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration;

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if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement; [59052]

(7) what the mandate of the European Economic Area Joint Committee is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement; [59041]

(8) what the mandate of the EEC-Poland Customs Co-operation Subcommittee is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement; [59030]

(9) what the mandate of the EEC-San Marino Customs Co-operation Sub-Committee is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement; [59043]

(10) what the mandate of the EEC-Cyprus Customs Co-operation Sub-Committee is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement; [59045]

(11) what the mandate of the EEC-European Free Trade Association Joint Committee (and working parties) is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement; [59050]

(12) what the mandate of the EEC-Canada Customs Co-operation Sub-Committee is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement; [59049]

(13) what the mandate of the EEC-Malta Customs Co-operation Sub-Committee is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement; [59044]

(14) what the mandate of the EEC-Korea Customs Co-operation Sub-Committee is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds;

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if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement; [59048]

(15) what the mandate of the EEC-Russia Customs Co-operation Subcommittee is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement; [59027]

(16) what the mandate of the EEC-Czech Republic Customs Co-operation Subcommittee is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement; [59029]

(17) what the mandate of the EEC-Estonia Customs Co-operation Subcommittee is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement; [59034]

(18) what the mandate of the EEC-Romania Customs Co-operation Subcommittee is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement; [59028]

(19) what the mandate of the EEC-Hungary Customs Co-operation Subcommittee is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement; [59033]

(20) what the mandate of the EEC-Andorra Customs Co-operation Sub-Committee is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement; [59046]

(21) what the mandate of the EEC-Bulgaria Customs Co-operation Sub-Committee is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement; [59035]

(22) what the mandate of the EEC-Albania Customs Co-operation Sub-Committee is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation

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on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement; [59036]

(23) what the mandate of the EEC-Slovenia customs Co-operation Subcommittee is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement; [59025]

(24) what the mandate of the Joint Committee (EEC-Switzerland) on the simplification of inspections and formalities (and working party) is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement; [59037]

(25) what the mandate of the Joint Committees with the countries of the European Free Trade Association (Iceland, Norway and Switzerland) is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement; [59040]

(26) what the mandate of the EEC-Lithuania Customs Co-operation Subcommittee is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [59031]

Mr. Boateng: All of the committees listed have been set up by the council in accordance with obligations under agreements between the EC and the third country or economic grouping in question. They normally meet annually (one year Brussels, the following year in the subject country). Their aim is to maintain co-operation agreements in the customs field, particularly in exchanging information.

HM Customs attends preparatory council meetings (approximately six per year) which co-ordinate, as part of a wide ranging agenda, for the bilateral EC/third country committee meetings.

Travel expenses for two officials are reimbursed by the Commission. The usual cost of overnight accommodation and subsistence per day per official is 217.95 euro (£134.70). HM Customs officials do not normally attend the bilateral meetings.

In the Customs area, the EC has exclusive competence and leads in the bilateral meetings, normally accompanied by the member state holding the presidency. If, exceptionally, there is a point of direct interest to the UK, representatives from the permanent representation in Brussels would attend the meeting.

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Accountability and transparency to Parliament are ensured by the regular EU scrutiny process. Prior to agreement at the various councils (ECOFIN, JHA, GAC), documents are submitted to Parliament along with explanatory memoranda and are examined by the European Scrutiny Committees.

EEC-Albania Customs Co-operation Sub-Committee (59036)


Customs Section of the Joint Committee (EEC-Iceland) (59052)


EEC-Romania Customs Co-operation Sub-Committee (59028)


EEC-Malta Customs Co-operation Sub-Committee (59044)


European Free Trade Association (Iceland, Norway and Switzerland) (59040)


EEC-Latvia Customs Co-operation Sub-Committee (59032)


EEC-Korea Customs Co-operation Sub-Committee (59048)


EEC-Poland Customs Co-operation Sub-Committee (59030)


EEC-Andora Customs Co-operation Sub-Committee (59046)


EEC-Slovak Republic Customs Co-operation Sub-Committee (59026)


EEC-Estonia Customs Co-operation Sub-Committee (59034)


EEC-European Free Trade Association Joint Committee (and working parties) (59050)


Joint Committee (EEC-Switzerland) on the simplification of inspections and formalities (and working party) (50937)


Customs Section of the Joint Committee (EEC-Norway) (59053)


EEC-Czech Republic Customs Co-operation Sub-Committee (59029)


EEC-Cyprus Customs Co-operation Sub-Committee (59045)


EEC-Slovenia Customs Co-operation Sub-Committee (59025)


European Economic Area Joint Committee (59041)


EEC-Hungary Customs Co-operation Sub-Committee (59033)


EEC-Canada Customs Co-operation Sub-Committee (59049)


EEC-Lithuania Customs Co-operation Sub-Committee (59031)


Customs Co-operation Committee (EEC-Turkey) (59047)


EEC-Russia Customs Co-operation Sub-Committee (59027)


EEC-San Marino Customs Co-operation Sub-Committee (59043)


EEC-Bulgaria Customs Co-operation Sub-Committee (59035)


Customs section of the Joint Committee (EEC-Switzerland- Liechtenstein) (59051).

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the mandate of the Committee on the harmonisation of the compilation of gross national product at market prices is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [58444]

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

Letter from Len Cook to Mr. John Bercow, dated May 2002:

As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about the Harmonisation of the Compilation of Gross National Product at Market Prices Committee. (58444)

The role and responsibilities of the Harmonisation of the Compilation of Gross National Product at Market Prices Committee are set out in Council Directive 89/130 EEC (Euratom) of 13 February 1989.

The GNPmp committee has met twice since May 2001. The UK is represented by one senior official from the Office for National Statistics.

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The information regarding the annual cost of the Committee's work to public funds can only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

The committee is currently discussing a range of issues relating to methodologies used in constructing the estimate of GNP and outstanding reservations under ESA79. It also ratified member countries' GNP returns prior to submission to the European Court of Auditors. In addition, the Committee is the nominated comitology committee for a range of EU National Accounts statistical legislation.

Proposals for significant statistical legislation are subject to co-decision. They are submitted to Parliament along with Explanatory Memoranda and are examined by the Scrutiny Committees. Minor changes are subject to comitology procedures.

Together with Member States, the Commission is currently conducting a review to bring existing legislation on the conduct of comitology committees into line with Council Decision 1999/ 468/EC, to "simplify the requirements for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission". As an obligation to this Decision, the Commission undertook to publish an annual report on the working of committees. The first report was deposited in the Libraries of both Houses on 26 February 2002 (Com (2001) 783 Final.

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