§ 23. Simon Hughes (Southwark, North and Bermondsey)What recent discussions his office has had with other Departments about statistics published by the Central Office of Information. [112589]
§ The Minister of State, Cabinet Office (Mr. Douglas Alexander)None. Part of the Central Office of Information's remit is to arrange for the publication of some departmental information and statistics, for which individual Departments are responsible.
§ Simon HughesMay I can encourage the Minister to talk to his colleagues in the Office for National Statistics and, especially, the Home Office, so that when the COI or the Government Information and Communication Service produce publications, we have clear statistical information? The last crime statistics consisted of three sets of statistics, which left everyone confused, and the general view is that we must do much better if we are to have credible statistics that the public believe and that thus serve their intended purpose.
§ Mr. AlexanderWe are keen not only for crime levels to fall but for confidence in the police service and law enforcement agencies to continue to rise. In that regard, I am happy to pass on the hon. Gentleman's comments to Home Office Ministers.