-----Original Message-----
From: official-statistics [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of ray thomas
Sent: Wednesday, July 04, 2007 10:28 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: pre-release of National Statistics
>"Some have suggested, however, that the
>existing arrangements for giving Ministers advance sight of National
>Statistics are overly generous and contribute to a perception of
>Ministerial interference in statistics, which in turn has an impact on
>trust in statistics. "
The Royal Statistical Society has made this suggestion repeatedly. But is
there any evidence to support the suggestion? Pre-release does not affact
the statistics themselves. There has been no suggestion that pre-release
is associated in any way with altering or fiddling the figures. Pre-release
gives
the opportunity to the Government of the day to put their own slant in
interpreting
the statistics - just as they can do with the publication of any other kind
of information.
Why should the public expect otherwise?
Why should statistical publications be viewed or treated
differently from other kinds of reports?
>"Recognising the continuing
>concern about pre-release arrangements, the Government will go even
>Further, reducing pre-release access to National Statistics to a maximum
>of *24 hours*. This tightening of current arrangements will be set out
>in secondary legislation, alongside rules and principles to guide
>departments in reducing the number of people that receive pre-release
>access, and to which statistics."
What is the discussion really about? Is it about who writes the Press
Releases that accompany the publication of many statistics? Is it
believed that the shorter the pre-release period the less will be the
oportunity for ministers to put their own slant on interpreting the
statistics? Is it a struggle between statisticians, seeking full
recognition of their professional status, and the Government?
Ray Thomas, Faculty of Social Sciences, Open University
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