HL Deb 14 November 2003 vol 654 cc233-4WA
Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Why the National Statistician is appointed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer; and who appoints the head of the national statistical service in each member state of the European Union. [HL5360]

Lord McIntosh of Haringey

As specified under the Framework for National Statistics, the Chancellor, as Minister responsible for national statistics, will, with the agreement of the Prime Minister and normally following open competition, appoint the National Statistician. In this way, the Chancellor remains ultimately responsible, and answerable to Parliament, for national statistics.

I have asked the National Statistician to write to the noble Lord separately with details of how the heads of the national statistical services in other member states of the European Union are appointed.