Title: Office of National Statistics
Pokemaniac John - May 11, 2009 04:06 PM (GMT)
In this question time, MPs may pose questions about Ostentia to the Office of National Statistics. For example, "How much is the Ostentian wine market worth compared to Exilia's?" The appropriate person at the office will endeavour to answer questions posed in a prompt manner. However, the Office is not obliged to answer questions it believes to be inappropriate.
Each member is limited to three questions a week. A member may ask up to their full three questions in one go, but only one set of questions may be put to the Office at a time.
plqx - May 11, 2009 04:30 PM (GMT)
What is the latest figures on the nation's population?
Could you please supply me/the house with information with regards to what proportion of freight miles is transported by each of the major modes (rail, air, road and sea) and highlight any particular regions that deviate significantly from the norm and in what way they do so?
Pokemaniac John - May 11, 2009 05:20 PM (GMT)
| QUOTE |
According to the latest census, the population of Ostentia is approximately 60 million.
A large majority of mainland freight transport is by rail, with some sea transport around the various bays, particularly the bay of Apaturi and the bay of Raktari, and extensive sea transport to the many small islands. Significantly different regions would be Valaxia and the Northern Isles. Between the Valaxia itself, Kria and the mainland, about a third of freight is by air, with the rest by sea. On the islands themselves, road is the main system, with rail second. Practically all freight within the Northern Isles is by sea, with road providing transport on the islands. Between the Isles and the mainland, sea is still the main mode used, but their has been a notable increase in the use of air transport since the airport was built. |
HRH King Zog II - May 11, 2009 05:35 PM (GMT)
How competitive are Ostentia's farmers compared to Gelland's?
How did the Harvest Boon Act affect this?
Sir William Buttersworth - May 12, 2009 12:14 AM (GMT)
Is there an indigenous population in Ostentia?
How much illegal drug use is there in Ostentia?
Pokemaniac John - May 12, 2009 12:28 PM (GMT)
| QUOTE |
Due to government support, Gellish farmers can offer produce at lower prices. However, Ostentian farmers produce larger quantities, if only because there is more land suitable for farming in Ostentia. The Harvest Boon Act saw the amount of crops harvested in Ostentia grow, which lowered prices somewhat.
The Autochs are an indigenous people who once populated much of the North of the Ostentian peninsula. They are now confined to a small population in Falahn, and a few who have moved to the larger cities. There is archaeological evidence of other peoples throughout much of the country, but the Autochs appear the only ones to survive to the modern day.
The number of known users of illegal drugs in Ostentia is negligible. However, I expect the majority are unknown. |
CJMiller - May 12, 2009 04:12 PM (GMT)
Is bookmaking fraud a problem in Ostentia?
If so, how much does it cost the government per year?
Pokemaniac John - May 12, 2009 05:31 PM (GMT)
| QUOTE |
| There has been some known bookmaking fraud on a small scale, but it is far from a major problem. |
Sir William Buttersworth - July 21, 2009 11:24 PM (GMT)
Few things ...
In hemre;
- What is the average income?
- What is the minimum annual wage?
- Is there a scale of hemre to BU's?
- What is the price of a average small car (OOC: think Toyota Yaris)?
- What is the unemployment rate?
Thanks :)
Commoncold0 - July 21, 2009 11:58 PM (GMT)
***unwarrented intrusion from ex-admin***
The simulation was designed in such a way that nothing would ever be given a specific value in terms of currency, as this would ultimately lead to problems of scale, inflation etc. The budget units were designed as flexible units, with their actual value varying depending upon the value of currency. For the same reason, I encouraged people to just put terms such as "average income", "high income" etc. than giving actual monetary values.
Of course, PJ may want to change this system, but I personally hold the view that if exact currency figures start being used then the simulation will become over-complicated very quickly.
Sir William Buttersworth - July 22, 2009 12:22 AM (GMT)
Yeah, hence my 'upper average of low income', but that is hard to understand and figure.
Perhaps we could have it separate, just so we have a terms of reference for policies - but it's not related to budget units.
Cieran - July 22, 2009 12:41 AM (GMT)
I think most of us have just assumed it to be tied roughly to the pound. So a small family car would cost anywhere from around £6,000 for the lowest end to £12,000...
Sir William Buttersworth - July 22, 2009 12:56 AM (GMT)
Really? That'd be a big help...
Pokemaniac John - July 22, 2009 11:12 AM (GMT)
Cieran is correct. I don't like to say anything more specific, because I consider vagueness an important part of Mock Parliament. :P Particularly where money is involved.
Sir William Buttersworth - July 22, 2009 01:05 PM (GMT)
Groovy.
What is the road toll for last year? and 5 years ago? Is it increasing?
Pokemaniac John - July 22, 2009 04:17 PM (GMT)
| QUOTE |
| Last year around 1,500 people were killed as a result of accidents on the roads, while it was around 2,300 five years ago. The general trend seems to be a decrease in deaths, possibly due to recent improvements in the public transport system. |
Commoncold0 - July 28, 2009 12:52 PM (GMT)
Assuming that there isn't an early dissolution or an extension of the term, when will the next general election take place?
Pokemaniac John - July 28, 2009 12:56 PM (GMT)
| QUOTE |
| Sign-ups for the general election will open on the seventh of next month. |
Cieran - August 5, 2009 10:03 PM (GMT)
How much, per year, are we spending on tracking-down and apprehending drug users, as well as the costs for their incapacitation. If possible, could you also give the substatistic for marijuana use.
This is a question which is really gonna make or break the marijuana argument for MP :P...
Lord Davies - August 8, 2009 04:32 PM (GMT)
Are there currently any restrictions on who can join the army?
Sir William Buttersworth - August 14, 2009 12:21 AM (GMT)
Cieran can answer his own question now!
Cieran - August 14, 2009 09:20 AM (GMT)
Hah, I'm not gonna do that, it'd be grossly unfair really :P . Much as it's tempting, letting a neutral party decide (when he gets back) is far better...
Lord Davies - August 26, 2009 10:19 PM (GMT)
Cieran - August 28, 2009 02:03 PM (GMT)
Sir William Buttersworth - August 28, 2009 02:24 PM (GMT)
*has a coughing fit*
(I just wanted to join in)
(Ok ok, really going to bed this time for everyone I said g'night to on IRC :lol:)
Pokemaniac John - August 28, 2009 02:25 PM (GMT)
*Offers cough tablets, kerchiefs etc.*
| QUOTE |
Less than a budget unit per term is devoted to tracking down drug users on a national level, but some state governments and police forces put a significant amount of funding into such activities.
There is some confusion over restrictions on joining the army as different states have had different age and gender etc. restrictions at different times since unification. The generally accepted view now is that anyone in good health over the age of 16 may join the armed forces, regardless of other factors such as gender. |
Commoncold0 - October 14, 2009 01:08 PM (GMT)
What is the provisional date for the next election?
Pokemaniac John - October 14, 2009 01:58 PM (GMT)
Election sign-ups are set to open on Friday 16th of this month.
Carl Miller - December 4, 2009 02:18 AM (GMT)
What is the population of each state?
Also, what are the percentages of religion in Ostentia?
Commoncold0 - December 4, 2009 12:20 PM (GMT)
| QUOTE (Carl Miller @ Dec 4 2009, 02:18 AM) |
What is the population of each state?
Also, what are the percentages of religion in Ostentia? |
There are rough % figures for population for each state, though there are no exact figures. They are as follows:
N Isles - 3%
Valaxia - 5%
Mentagnus - 7%
Olin - 11%
Enchiridion - 9%
Falahn - 4%
Agnasium - 6%
Oredia - 11%
The Midlands - 10%
Epiphany - 10%
Fondrop - 11%
Yare - 7%
Thorby - 6%