§ Mr. Matthew BanksTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchquer if he will make a statement about his plans for the new Office for National Statistics. [22582]
§ Mrs. Angela KnightThe new Office for National Statistics will be created on 1 April. I am today placing in the Libraries of the House copies of its framework document, its first business plan and policy statements on confidentiality, pricing and dissemination and release of data.
The creation of the new office is a significant milestone in the development of official statistics in the United Kingdom. These documents set out its constitution, key policies and future plans, including performance targets for the coming year. They will guide the office in meeting its aims to serve Government and the wider community. I am confident that rapid progress will be made both in the field of national statistics and in the registration activities to be undertaken by the office.