§ Mr. GibbTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the accuracy of UK economic growth figures prepared by the Office for National Statistics. [61975]
§ Ruth KellyThe information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
Letter from John Kidgell to Mr. Nick Gibb, dated 25 June 2002:
The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question on the accuracy of the UK economic growth figures proposed by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). I am replying in his absence. (61975)
ONS consistently applies well documented and internationally validated methods, and works with an extensive range of data sources founded on sound statistical practice. The National Accounts framework enables a high degree of validation through well structured balancing and alternate estimates of conceptually equivalent measures.