The hon. Lady is doing something that I counselled hon. Members not to do, by assuming that politicians act in that way to bury bad news. I am sure that sometimes they do, but it is not the case on most occasions. Politicians on both sides of the House who...

The hon. Lady is doing something that I counselled hon. Members not to do, by assuming that politicians act in that way to bury bad news. I am sure that sometimes they do, but it is not the case on most occasions. Politicians on both sides of the House who...

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to our debate which, everyone recognises, hinges on the important issue of trust in official information. We are self-obsessed in believing that it is the actions of politicians that undermine trust in official information, because the biggest factor in undermining that trust is whether...

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to our debate which, everyone recognises, hinges on the important issue of trust in official information. We are self-obsessed in believing that it is the actions of politicians that undermine trust in official information, because the biggest factor in undermining that trust is whether...

The hon. Gentleman is right to say that a lack of trust arises when people’s experience differs from the figures. That is my point. He says that the difference arises only because politicians make up facts, but he is wrong. In fact, in many cases statistics are not accurate, and...

The hon. Gentleman is right to say that a lack of trust arises when people’s experience differs from the figures. That is my point. He says that the difference arises only because politicians make up facts, but he is wrong. In fact, in many cases statistics are not accurate, and...

I was making a serious point. When evidence from other sets of data suggests that a statistical series is wrong, there must be a way of remedying the situation. The board will have a duty to ensure the coherence of National Statistics, so when different statistical series conflict with each...

I was making a serious point. When evidence from other sets of data suggests that a statistical series is wrong, there must be a way of remedying the situation. The board will have a duty to ensure the coherence of National Statistics, so when different statistical series conflict with each...

I give way to the hon. Member for Worthing, West (Peter Bottomley).

I give way to the hon. Member for Worthing, West (Peter Bottomley).

The hon. Lady has implied that this is a new phenomenon. The Royal Statistical Society has pointed out that"““for several decades now, a lack of trust due to a wide perception of political interference has devalued and undermined official statistics””."

The hon. Lady has implied that this is a new phenomenon. The Royal Statistical Society has pointed out that"““for several decades now, a lack of trust due to a wide perception of political interference has devalued and undermined official statistics””."

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker.

Civil Contingencies Bill. Second reading debate. Agreed to on question. Programme motion on proceedings in committee, report and third reading agreed to on division (286 to 138). Money resolution agreed to on question (formal). (Relevant docs HC 1074 2002/03, HC 557 2002/03, HC 1005 2002/03 and Cm 6078)

Civil Contingencies Bill. Second reading debate. Agreed to on question. Programme motion on proceedings in committee, report and third reading agreed to on division (286 to 138). Money resolution agreed to on question (formal). (Relevant docs HC 1074 2002/03, HC 557 2002/03, HC 1005 2002/03 and Cm 6078)