HC Deb 29 March 2001 vol 365 cc1100-2
8. Mr. Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock)

If he will make a statement on the work of the Office for National Statistics. [154603]

The Economic Secretary to the Treasury (Miss Melanie Johnson)

This month is the fifth anniversary of the establishment of the Office for National Statistics, and we are now making major advances in statistics. We have a new index of services, and we are the first country to update our national accounts to meet the new European system of accounts. We also have new data capture initiatives and initiatives to make small area data available for social statistics. In line with last year's White Paper, we have also launched "National Statistics".

Mr. Mackinlay

As my hon. Friend is the Minister in charge of the veracity of Government statistics, I want to draw to her attention the fact that in countless hospitals throughout England and Wales, death certificates are not being completed in a proper and frank manner. Is she aware that for the past 20-odd years, although death certificates may mention pneumonia or septicaemia, there is often a cover-up of the fact that at least some contribution to death was made by MRSA. I shall attempt to pronounce that: methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus—[Laughter.] This is not a matter for levity—not hundreds but thousands of people die in our hospitals because of it, and the hospitals are contriving not to tell the truth. They are covering up because of political considerations, resource considerations, possible litigation—

Mr. Speaker

Order. I think that the Minister knows what the hon. Gentleman is asking.

Miss Johnson

I will not try to emulate my hon. Friend's pronunciation; I will stick to the term MRSA. This is a serious matter, and I appreciate his raising it. Doctors are required to complete certificates showing the cause of death to the best of their knowledge and belief. Guidance is included at the front of every book of death certificates. Indeed, they are not available without it, and it stresses the need to complete the sequence of conditions that led to death, so death certificates are being correctly completed. However, I am sure my hon. Friend will be interested to know that the Department of Health has decided to make all invasive forms of MRSA infection reportable by NHS trusts to the Department of Health, from April.

Mr. Eric Forth (Bromley and Chislehurst)

Will people be able to describe themselves as English in the coming census?

Miss Johnson

People will be able to describe their place of birth by whatever means they wish, including ticking a box or writing in the word "English".

Mr. Derek Twigg (Halton)

Will my hon. Friend recognise the important work that my constituents do in the statistical office in Runcorn, in the constituency of my hon. Friend the Member for Weaver Vale (Mr. Hall)? She will know that, because of the review that has taken place, they are concerned about their future. Will she be in a position to make a decision about the office in the not-too-distant future, and will she take into account the representations that the unions want to make to her soon?

Miss Johnson

I am grateful to my hon. Friend; I know that he takes a keen interest in the concerns of his constituents who work in Runcorn. As he knows, I have been considering the matter for a little while and I need to give it further thought. However, as soon as I make a decision, I shall alert him.

Mr. James Clappison (Hertsmere)

Was not the Economic Secretary right in her first answer that the Government have taken more initiatives on statistics than any previous Government? Is she not concerned about the growing number of statistics that provide clear evidence of declining confidence in the economy? Is not the only statistic about which we can be confident under a Labour Government the one showing that taxes will go up? Will the Economic Secretary please tell us whether national statistics show that the tax burden is higher or lower than it was when the Government came to office in 1997?

Miss Johnson

We have published endless details of the tax burden. As the hon. Gentleman knows full well, it is lower than it was under the previous Government's plans. On his point about the figures, through the framework for national statistics, we have set out new arrangements that guarantee the independence of statistics that are produced. That is in contrast to the previous Government, who fiddled the figures on unemployment statistics on numerous occasions—dozens of revisions were made to unemployment figures to present a picture to the country that was different from the reality of unemployment under the Tories.

Mr. Hilary Benn (Leeds, Central)

As the Government target more resources on disadvantaged areas, will my hon. Friend urge the Office for National Statistics to produce more statistical information at constituency and ward level so that we can better assess the difference that that investment is making?

Miss Johnson

I welcome my hon. Friend's interest in the subject, which is shared by the Government. In response to PAT 18—the policy action team report—we have put in place an initiative with additional funding to produce local area, statistics on a ward-by-ward and, indeed, other area basis. I am sure that all hon. Members will find that extremely useful.