HC Deb 31 January 1967 vol 740 cc222-3
6. Mr. Marquand

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will set up a Standing Committee on Social Statistics under the chairmanship of the Central Statistical Office, following the recommendation contained in paragraph 86 of the Fourth Report of the Estimates Committee on Government Statistical Services.

20. Mr. Kenneth Lewis

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what improvements he proposes to make in Government statistical services and in the status of the Central Statistical Office following the recommendations of the Fourth Report of the Estimates Committee on Government Statistical Services.

Mr. Diamond

I would refer the hon. Gentlemen to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to my hon. Friend the Member for West Lothian (Mr. Dalyell) on 20th January.—[Vol. 739, c. 156–157.]

Mr. Marquand

Will my right hon. Friend at least agree that the kind of economic planning to which this party is committed cannot be properly carried out unless we have a considerable improvement in the quality of the social statistics available to the Government? Will he, therefore, examine this part of the Estimates Committee's proposals very favourably?

Mr. Diamond

That is one element of the very full consideration which this important proposal merits.

Mr. Lewis

Since the National Plan foundered partly because the statistics were completely inadequate, if we are to have another plan should not the Government get the statistics right? This is an urgent matter.

Mr. Diamond

Certainly. It is always desirable to get statistics as accurate as possible.