WRITTEN QUESTION E-1016/01 by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission. Publication of statistics in the US and EU.
Date: 2001-03-30
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU publication, EU statistics, United States, economic consequence, economic indicator, economic statistics, exchange rate

4.12.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 340 E/147

approach is based on specific indicators which were approved by the Internal Market Council on
30 November 2000. Progress achieved in this area is subject to regular benchmarking using recognised
evaluation instruments (Eurobarometer surveys and/or data provided by the Member States, for example by
the ESDIS (3) (employment and social dimension of the information society) high-level group).

(1) OJ C 318 E, 13.11.2001, p. 86.
(2)
For further information, contact
Multimedia_Ventures@compuserve.com or jim.ayre@multimediaventures.com.
(3) http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/soc-dial/info_soc/esdis/index.htm.

(2001/C 340 E/164)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1016/01

by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission

(30 March 2001)

Subject: Publication of statistics in the US and EU

1. Will the Commission examine the forthcoming timetables of a group of
leading international
investment banks (e.g. Goldman Sachs, Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, UBS, Deutsche Bank)
for the listing of the statistics regularly published (quarterly or monthly) by United States agencies deemed
to have an effect on the euro-dollar exchange rate (e.g. GDP growth, inflation, non-farm payrolls, etc.)?

2. Will it compile a matrix setting out the time delay between that US publication date and the period
to which it refers, together with a further column indicating the euro area equivalent statistical series, if
any, with the equivalent time delay between Eurostat publication and the period to which it refers?

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(19 June 2001)

The Commission is fully aware of the importance attached by financial market operators to the release of
infra-annual economic indicators (e.g. gross domestic products (GDP),
trade
balance, etc.) in the Community and the United States. The Commission believes also that the comparative
evolution of such indicators has an impact on the euro-dollar exchange rate and considers it of utmost
importance that financial market operators are adequately informed.

inflation, employment,

A detailed analysis of the release of infra-annual economic statistics in the Community and United States
will be made in the context of a report comparing Community and United States practices, which will be
submitted in autumn 2001 to the Statistical Programme Committee (SPC). Such an analysis will, of course,
contain a table matching Community and United States release dates for a comparable set of infra-annual
economic indicators.

(2001/C 340 E/165)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1017/01

by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission

(30 March 2001)

Subject: Publication of economic statistics

Does the Commission agree that US practices in the publication of market-sensitive economic

1.
statistics are a proper benchmark for euro area practices?

2. Will it then indicate whether its objective is to match US practices and, if so, on what timescale and
by what means?