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TREASURY

National Statistics

The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Ruth Kelly): The National Statistics annual report has been published today. A number of copies of the report have been placed in both Libraries of the House. The report can also be obtained free of charge on the National Statistics website at: www.statistics.gov.uk/about/national–statistics/documentation.asp.

Office for National Statistics

The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Ruth Kelly): The Office for National Statistics annual report and accounts for 2003–04 are being laid before Parliament today. They contain an assessment of how the Office for National Statistics performed against its key targets in 2003–04. Electronic copies are freely available on the National Statistics website and a number of copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Spending Review (Regional Priorities)

The Economic Secretary to the Treasury (John Healey): "2004 Spending Review: Meeting Regional Priorities", is being published today and copies are available in the Libraries of the House.

This document meets the Treasury's commitment to set out how the 2004 Spending Review, announced to Parliament on 12 July 2004, responds to the issues and priorities identified in the regional emphasis documents jointly prepared by the Government office, regional development agency and regional chamber in each English region.

The document reaffirms the Government's commitment to improving regional economic performance. It summarises the next steps the Government is taking to ensure that the evidence base supports the Government's regional policy agenda, and sets out the SR04 response to input from the regions as well as plans for devolving further resources and responsibilities in every region.

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