Code of Practice for Official Statistics: Report on the consultation and ...

A number <strong>of</strong> detailed concerns were raised. HM Revenue & Customs
(HMRC) pointed out the resource implications, and the need <strong>for</strong> clear
accountability. The Home Office suggested the inclusion <strong>of</strong> a reference
to the Publication Hub, and pointed out that the ‘basic pr<strong>of</strong>essional
standards’ referred to have not been specified – and suggested some
improved text. The Northern Ireland <strong>Statistics</strong> and Research Agency felt
that this should not be part <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Code</strong> but, rather, should be covered
by the Ministerial <strong>Code</strong> <strong>of</strong> Conduct or through training <strong>for</strong> policy
colleagues.
Authority response
We were pleased that there was unanimous support <strong>for</strong> the
principle <strong>of</strong> separating departmental policy statements from
statistical releases, and that there was widespread support <strong>for</strong> the
inclusion <strong>of</strong> appropriate statements in the <strong>Code</strong>.
The principle on ‘Impartiality and objectivity’ includes practices
which are intended to ensure not only that government releases
do not undermine or contradict the statistical release, but also that
the use <strong>of</strong> statistics in government releases meets basic pr<strong>of</strong>essional
standards.
5. Is the treatment, in Protocol 1 <strong>of</strong> the draft <strong>Code</strong>, <strong>of</strong> access to <strong>of</strong>ficial
statistics be<strong>for</strong>e their publication, satisfactory, given the requirement
that pre-release access to <strong>of</strong>ficial statistics in their final <strong>for</strong>m is
specifically excluded from the coverage <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Code</strong>
A few respondents suggested specific parts <strong>of</strong> the Protocol which they
thought had strayed into commenting on the pre-release <strong>of</strong> statistics
in their final <strong>for</strong>m – the aspect which the <strong>Code</strong> is not allowed to cover
under the provisions <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Statistics</strong> and Registration Service Act 2007.
Most respondents expressed the view that such a Protocol was helpful
in clarifying and detailing good practice in relation to the release <strong>of</strong>
statistics.
A number <strong>of</strong> respondents commented on the text <strong>of</strong> the Protocol
too. Many important points <strong>of</strong> both principle and detail were raised.
Eurostat reiterated their view that the pre-release arrangements set out
in the Act lag behind common practices across the European Statistical
System. The Audit Commission expressed concern that the Protocol
mandates an approach to release that may conflict with the existing
procedures <strong>of</strong> the organisation and may be perceived as reducing the
independence <strong>of</strong> non-Crown bodies.
Consultation Document | <strong>Code</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Practice</strong> | Part 3 41