92001E0138

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0138/01

by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission

(31 January 2001)

Subject: Timeliness of economic statistics

Given the long delays before several Member States publish quarterly estimates of their national accounts see the answer of 22 December to Written Question E-3426/00(1) what proportion of EU and euro-area GDP is generally taken into account when Eurostat publishes its first estimates of GDP growth in a quarter?

(1) OJ C 151 E, 22.5.2001.

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(15 March 2001)

Eurostat calculates the first estimates of quarterly gross domestic product (GDP) for the euro zone and the 15 Member States three times per quarter in accordance with the following schedule:

- an initial estimate covering at least 75 % of GDP is made within 70 days after the end of the reference quarter;

- a second estimate covering 90 % is made after 100 days;

- a third estimate covering 95 % is made after 120 days.