§ 5. Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to modernise his Department and to enable it to produce up-to-date information on which to base decisions to reshape the economy.
§ The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr. Roy Jenkins)I attach the greatest importance to a continued improvement of the statistical basis for policy decisions. But I would remind my hon. Friend that the Treasury is responsible for the interpretation and use of economic information rather than for its collection.
§ Mrs. ShortIn view of that, does not my right hon. Friend think that it would be rather better for the Government and the nation as a whole if those who collect. sift and prepare information for him and for other Departments had a less pro-Establishment background and more sympathy with the Government and its aims and objects?
§ Mr. JenkinsAs I said, I am constantly anxious to see an improvement, but I am not aware that any difficulties in either the collection or interpretation of statistics arise from the outlook and background of those who collect and interpret them.