UK Parliament / Open data

Statistics and Registration Service Bill

Debate on bills on Wednesday, 2 May 2007, in the House of Lords.
Statistics and Registration Service Bill. Lords Committe stage second day. Clauses 9, 12 to 16, 18, 19 agreed to. Clauses 8, 10, 17 agreed to as amended. Clause 11 as amended, negatived. Part 1 of 2 records.

About these Parliamentary proceedings

Reference

691 c1074-120 

Session

2006-07

Department

Treasury
Committee of the Whole House (HL)

Legislative stage

Committee stage

Procedure

Government defeats
New clauses

Chamber / Committee

House of Lords chamber

Related items

Statistics and Registration Service Bill. Brought from the Commons. Explanatory Notes HL Bill 53-EN also published.
Wednesday, 14 March 2007
Bills
House of Lords

Proceeding contributions

Lord Davies of Oldham | 691 c1084-6 (Link to this contribution) We are identifying areas for which Ministers will be responsible and on which the board in its code ...
Lord Desai | 691 c1081 (Link to this contribution) The amendments raise the central issue in the Bill, but a number of issues are being confused. It is...

Show all contributions (89)
Lord Chorley | 691 c1080 (Link to this contribution) My Lords, at Second Reading, I deliberately said nothing about the pre-release issue for the simple ...
Baroness Noakes | 691 c1079-80 (Link to this contribution) My Lords, our names are added to several of the amendments in this group, and I support what the nob...
Viscount Goschen | 691 c1079 (Link to this contribution) This Bill is about nothing if not enhancing the public’s trust in statistics. I support the principl...
Baroness Noakes | 691 c1084 (Link to this contribution) I am grateful to the Ministerfor giving way. I was puzzled by what he just said. Clause 11(1) states...
Lord Davies of Oldham | 691 c1082-3 (Link to this contribution) I understand the noble Lord’s point, but I am talking about London. The noble Lord will recognise th...
Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay | 691 c1081-2 (Link to this contribution) When the Minister says ““financial markets””, which ones is he talking about? We work in a world whe...
Lord Davies of Oldham | 691 c1081 (Link to this contribution) I am grateful to all noble Lords who have contributed to this constructive debate. I am also pleased...
Lord Newby | 691 c1078-9 (Link to this contribution) I agree with the noble Lords, Lord Moser and Lord Jenkin, that this group of amendments is probably ...
Lord Jenkin of Roding | 691 c1090 (Link to this contribution) I believe that we are also discussing Amendment No. 148, in the names of the noble Lord, Lord Newby,...
Viscount Eccles | 691 c1089-90 (Link to this contribution) I support the amendments. As we have already heard this afternoon, the creation of public trust is a...
Lord Newby | 691 c1091 (Link to this contribution) I am grateful to all noble Lords who have spoken to our Amendment No. 148, not least the noble Lord,...
Lord Desai | 691 c1090-1 (Link to this contribution) I apologise to the Committee for not being in my place when the noble Lord moved his amendment. In m...
Lord Davies of Oldham | 691 c1091-2 (Link to this contribution) I am delighted to be able to respond positively to the amendments. I shall not accept them—that woul...
Lord Moser | 691 c1091 (Link to this contribution) When I was in charge, many years ago, I had no problem publicly in doing what is suggested in the am...
Baroness Noakes | 691 c1092-3 (Link to this contribution) moved Amendment No. 49: 49: After Clause 8, insert the following new Clause— ““Resources (1) The B...
Lord Moser | 691 c1086-7 (Link to this contribution) I am grateful to the Minister for his detailed reply to the debate. There were one or two points tha...
Lord Howard of Rising | 691 c1089 (Link to this contribution) moved Amendment No. 45: 45: Clause 8, page 4, line 40, at end insert ““or (d) the way that officia...
Baroness Noakes | 691 c1098-9 (Link to this contribution) moved Amendment No. 54: 54: Clause 10, page 5, line 12, leave out ““National”” and insert ““Offici...
Lord Jenkin of Roding | 691 c1098 (Link to this contribution) I will study what the Minister has said. I take issue with him on the point that, if the United Nati...
Lord Evans of Temple Guiting | 691 c1097-8 (Link to this contribution) The Government recognise, along with the noble Lord, Lord Jenkin, the important and valid role that ...
Lord Howard of Rising | 691 c1097 (Link to this contribution) Our Amendment No. 60 in this group supports the amendment of the noble Lord, Lord Jenkin. We hope th...
Baroness Noakes | 691 c1095 (Link to this contribution) It seems to me as if the Minister might even accept my amendment, so much were his words in alignmen...
Lord Davies of Oldham | 691 c1094-5 (Link to this contribution) I shall certainly do my best to give the noble Baroness a reassuring reply. We should distinguish be...
Lord Lea of Crondall | 691 c1093 (Link to this contribution) This point will come up later on an amendment that I shall move about location. I would have thought...
Lord Jenkin of Roding | 691 c1094 (Link to this contribution) I do not want to anticipate the debate on the noble Lord’s amendment, but much of the problem that t...
Lord Newby | 691 c1093 (Link to this contribution) I am grateful to the noble Baroness for bringing this amendment forward. It raises a live issue. It ...
Lord Davies of Oldham | 691 c1105-6 (Link to this contribution) That last contribution emphasises how important the code is. The noble Lord, Lord Jenkin, made a per...
Lord Northbrook | 691 c1105 (Link to this contribution) I support the amendment of my noble friend Lady Noakes to carry on the good work of the Statistics C...
Baroness Noakes | 691 c1104 (Link to this contribution) I am not sure that we can discern wisdom in the Government’s position. I start by thanking all noble...
Lord Davies of Oldham | 691 c1101-4 (Link to this contribution) I agree with the noble Viscount, Lord Eccles, that it is desirable thatthe board should hit the grou...
Lord Jenkin of Roding | 691 c1105 (Link to this contribution) In relation to this amendment, it is interesting to remind ourselves what the chairman of the Statis...
Baroness Noakes | 691 c1104-5 (Link to this contribution) moved Amendment No. 55: 55: Clause 10, page 5, line 13, at end insert ““within 12 months of being ...
Lord Moser | 691 c1099-100 (Link to this contribution) It was the most extraordinary event in the statistical world when, in 2000, those of us responsible ...
Lord Jenkin of Roding | 691 c1100 (Link to this contribution) The noble Lord, Lord Moser, has put the case cogently and briefly and therefore I do not want to say...
Viscount Eccles | 691 c1100-1 (Link to this contribution) I support the simple solution to have one category of statistics and not two, but I have a specific ...
Lord Newby | 691 c1101 (Link to this contribution) We have supported a number of these amendments and have tabled some of our own. The more we have loo...
Lord Davies of Oldham | 691 c1074 (Link to this contribution) My Lords, I beg to move that the House do now again resolve itself into Committee on this Bill. Mov...
Lord Moser | 691 c1074-6 (Link to this contribution) moved Amendment No. 42: 42: Clause 8, page 4, line 36, at end insert— ““( ) The Board is to monito...
Lord Jenkin of Roding | 691 c1076-7 (Link to this contribution) The Committee will have listened to the noble Lord, Lord Moser, with huge interest and will respect ...
Lord Turnbull | 691 c1077-8 (Link to this contribution) My view on this matter can be simply put. I have defended the principle of pre-release, which I thin...
Lord Newby | 691 c1112 (Link to this contribution) That is a remarkable statement and part of me is rather pleased. In our discussion on the previous a...
Earl of Northesk | 691 c1113 (Link to this contribution) moved Amendment No. 62: 62: Clause 10, page 5, line 19, after ““Ireland,”” insert— ““( ) the Infor...
Lord Howard of Rising | 691 c1113 (Link to this contribution) I am grateful to the Minister for his explanation. However, I did not ask why he was consulting the ...
Lord Evans of Temple Guiting | 691 c1113-4 (Link to this contribution) This amendment, like the previous one, would require the board to consult the Information Commission...
Baroness Noakes | 691 c1113 (Link to this contribution) My name is added to this amendment. It is curious that the Bill does not mention the Information Com...
Lord Desai | 691 c1114 (Link to this contribution) May I ask whether, in view of the earlier vote, Amendments Nos. 66 and 67 have actually been passed?...
Earl of Northesk | 691 c1114 (Link to this contribution) I thank the Minister for that reply. I could also be slightly worried about the risk of repeating my...
Baroness Noakes | 691 c1114 (Link to this contribution) A number of amendments in the previous group were quite similar. We moved formally Amendments Nos. 5...
Lord Desai | 691 c1114 (Link to this contribution) Thank you. [Amendments Nos. 68 to 74 not moved.]
Lord Newby | 691 c1114-5 (Link to this contribution) moved Amendment No. 75: 75: Clause 11, page 6, line 4, leave out ““Treasury”” and insert ““Cabinet...
Baroness Noakes | 691 c1110-1 (Link to this contribution) The Minister has sought to respond to this group of amendments solely in terms of what should be pre...
Lord Davies of Oldham | 691 c1110 (Link to this contribution) That is an interesting point. Departments also respond to issues of public pressure and it will be r...
Viscount Eccles | 691 c1110 (Link to this contribution) I am puzzled why it would be in the interests of any department to want to turn one of its official ...
Lord Davies of Oldham | 691 c1110 (Link to this contribution) I do say that, but I thought that I was being pressed on the mechanisms—the potential sanctions—by w...
Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay | 691 c1110 (Link to this contribution) I thank the Conservative Benches for putting the case. If the Minister feels that this is too prescr...
Lord Jenkin of Roding | 691 c1109-10 (Link to this contribution) So far I have not taken part in this debate but, having listened to the Minister trying to defend hi...
Lord Newby | 691 c1111-2 (Link to this contribution) We have an amendment in this group to insert ““Cabinet Office”” instead of ““Treasury””, which refle...
Lord Evans of Temple Guiting | 691 c1112 (Link to this contribution) The question is why the Government are stipulating that the board must consult the devolved Administ...
Baroness Noakes | 691 c1111 (Link to this contribution) moved Amendments Nos. 57to 58: 57: Clause 10, page 5, line 13, at end insert— ““(1A) The Code shal...
Lord Howard of Rising | 691 c1111 (Link to this contribution) moved Amendment No. 61: 61: Clause 10, page 5, line 16, at end insert— ““( ) the Treasury,”” The ...
Lord Newby | 691 c1107 (Link to this contribution) We have considerable sympathy with the amendments. Our Amendment No. 64 is in the group. If the earl...
Baroness Noakes | 691 c1106-7 (Link to this contribution) moved Amendment No. 56: 56: Clause 10, page 5, line 13, at end insert ““and to monitor compliance ...
Lord Davies of Oldham | 691 c1107-8 (Link to this contribution) I am grateful to the two noble Lords who have spoken to their amendments, which are intended to make...
Baroness Noakes | 691 c1106 (Link to this contribution) I thank all noble Lords who took part in this debate for their contributions. I hadhoped that the Mi...
Lord Davies of Oldham | 691 c1109 (Link to this contribution) I am seeking to avoid the prescription put forward by the noble Baroness on how the board should go ...
Lord Davies of Oldham | 691 c1108 (Link to this contribution) What I am saying is that under the framework of the Bill—the code is still to be evolved—if there is...
Baroness Noakes | 691 c1109 (Link to this contribution) Will the Minister address the core issue of whether departments or those who produce statistics shou...
Lord Davies of Oldham | 691 c1109 (Link to this contribution) I resist amendments that specify in detail the ole of the board, but clearly if the board considers ...
Baroness Noakes | 691 c1109 (Link to this contribution) I think that I am being slow. The Minister has said that we should not be trying to tell the board h...
Lord Lea of Crondall | 691 c1116 (Link to this contribution) I do not know how far my noble friend will have been briefed on the whole history of the RPI, but I ...
Lord Jenkin of Roding | 691 c1115-6 (Link to this contribution) When the issue arose in another place, as my noble friend has just described, I recognised that I wa...
Lord Howard of Rising | 691 c1115 (Link to this contribution) moved AmendmentNo. 103: 103: Clause 19, page 9, line 4, at end insert— ““( ) If the Board is preve...
Baroness Noakes | 691 c1115 (Link to this contribution) moved Amendment No. 93: 93: Clause 17, page 8, line 15, leave out subsection (4) On Question, ame...
Lord Howard of Rising | 691 c1118 (Link to this contribution) I am grateful to the Minister, and I agree with him and with the noble Lord, Lord Desai, that nothin...
Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay | 691 c1117 (Link to this contribution) The RPI is the measurement that really matters. To be honest, I found the arguments put by the noble...
Lord Northbrook | 691 c1117 (Link to this contribution) I support the amendment.Clause 19 refers solely to the retail prices index. Am I getting hold of the...
Lord Howard of Rising | 691 c1118-9 (Link to this contribution) I agree with the noble Lord that all inflation is subjective. However, I still think that problems b...
Earl of Northesk | 691 c1119 (Link to this contribution) moved Amendment No. 105: 105: Clause 20, page 9, line 25, leave out ““, adapting and developing”” ...
Lord Evans of Temple Guiting | 691 c1120 (Link to this contribution) I beg to move that the House be resumed. In moving the Motion, perhaps I may suggest that the Commit...
Lord Evans of Temple Guiting | 691 c1119-20 (Link to this contribution) I hope that I shall be able to reassure the noble Earl on his genuine concern. The amendment relates...
Earl of Northesk | 691 c1120 (Link to this contribution) I am most grateful to the Minister for that reply. I shall read most carefully in Hansard what he ha...
Lord Desai | 691 c1118 (Link to this contribution) Before the noble Lord withdraws the amendment, let me say one thing. If it is to be reported, that s...
Lord Howard of Rising | 691 c1092 (Link to this contribution) I am grateful to the Minister for his assurances, which I should like to consider carefully when I h...
Lord Jenkin of Roding | 691 c1096-7 (Link to this contribution) moved Amendment No. 52: 52: Clause 9, page 5, line 8, at end insert ““, taking account of the prin...
Baroness Noakes | 691 c1108 (Link to this contribution) The Minister is developing a very interesting argument: that the board can carry out an assessment. ...
Lord Desai | 691 c1116-7 (Link to this contribution) In the early 1960s, I was in probably the first batch of people to be subjected to a seminar on the ...
Lord Davies of Oldham | 691 c1117-8 (Link to this contribution) I hope that I will not have to engage with my noble friends Lord Lea and Lord Desai on the broader i...

Subjects

Disclosure of information
Codes of practice
Finance
Government departments
European communities
Financial markets
Staff
Office for National Statistics
Statistics
United Nations
Retail prices index
Information Commissioner's Office
UK Statistics Authority

Legislation

Statistics and Registration Service Bill 2006-07

Link

View this Parliamentary proceeding on www.publications.parliament.uk
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