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Proceeding contribution from John Bercow (Conservative) in the House of Commons on Tuesday, 13 March 2007. It occurred during Debate on bill on Statistics and Registration Service Bill.


Statistics and Registration Service Bill

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for generously giving way, particularly in the circumstances of her approaching her denouement. Clearly, there is an important distinction between the technical quality of statistics and the question whether they are duly representative. I did not have the privilege and the salivating experience of serving on the Standing Committee, so I hope that my hon. Friend will understand my ignorance on this point. What if, to put it in simple terms, the National Statistician has a particular view about what ought to make up the basket of items that constitute the basis of the retail prices index, and the Chancellor or the Prime Minister takes a different view? Will we get to know that the National Statistician has a view? Will it be in the public domain? Can we debate the issue and hold Ministers to account on the matter?


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
458 c167 
Session
2006-07
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Disclosure of information Codes of practice Devolved matters Accountability Departmental responsibilities Intelligence services Government departments Prime Minister Ministerial powers National security Northern Ireland Public appointments Public interest Mergers Staff Office for National Statistics Scotland Statistics Registration Wales Treasury Retail prices index Cabinet Office Statistics Commission UK Statistics Authority
Legislation
Statistics and Registration Service Bill 2006-07
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk