I suppose that the ONS/Statistics Commission might defend themselves by
pointing out that there is no sampling frame for influential people. But
that prompts the question as to the justification for consulting influential
people. Can anyone think of any other example in Britain where
governmental organisations have formally consulted influential people to
help formuluate public policy?
Doesn't the idea have totalitarian overtones in that it bypasses all normal
democratic processes?
There is a sampling frame of 659 elected public representatives in the House
of Commons. There are many thousands of elected local councillors who could
have constituted a sampling frame. It would have been possible to produce
a statistically sound report based on the views of public representatives
that could have claimed to be representative.
Ray Thomas
35 Passmore, Tinkers Bridge, Milton Keynes MK6 3DY
Email: [log in to unmask]
Tel/Fax 01908 679081
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----- Original Message -----
From: "Wells, Julian" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, March 09, 2005 12:29 PM
Subject: Re: Fw: PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN BRITISH OFFICIAL STATISTICS
I see that the list of influential people includes ...
>PERCEPTIONS REPORT INTERVIEWEES
> Sir Andrew Green, Migrationwatch UK
> Jenny Hope, The Daily Mail
> Trevor Kavanagh, The Sun
Two observations: (1) Migrationwatch UK appears to be the sole
single-issue pressure group (as opposed to voluntary sector
organisation). (2) The only representatives of popular newspapers
invited appear to be the two above.
Two questions: (1) the *inclusion* of Migrationwatch might be justified
on prudential grounds, but how is the *exclusion* of every other
pressure group justified? (2) Why only tabloids of the particular
political character of the two in question? Why was no one from the
Daily Mirror consulted?
Julian Wells
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