Written question asked by Harry Cohen (Labour) on Thursday, 5 December 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 16 December 2002. It was answered by Ruth Kelly (Labour) on Monday, 16 December 2002 on behalf of the Office for National Statistics.

Treasury;Office for National Statistics

Question: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make a statement on his policy relating to setting out in the national accounts the extent of Government liability for guarantees of loans, with special reference to the London Underground. - Inc text of letter from Len Cook of the Office for National Statistics.

Answer: Harry Cohen: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his policy relating to setting out in the national accounts the extent of Government liability for guarantees of loans, with special reference to the London Underground. [86555] 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. Cohen, dated 16 December 2002: As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent parliamentary question relating to setting out in the national accounts the extent of Government liability for guarantees of loans, with special reference to the London Underground. (86555). The responsibility for the national accounts falls to me as National Statistician. Guarantees of loans are usually accounted for as contingent liabilities. As such they are not included in national accounts under the rules of the European System of Accounts 1995. The Office for National Statistics has not been asked about the status of any guarantees for possible London Underground loans.

Secondary information