To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what steps he takes to ensure the accuracy of Government statistics.

Responsibility for independently assessing and monitoring the quality of official statistics lies with the UK Statistics Authority. This independent body operates at arm's length from Government and is directly accountable to Parliament.

The Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General, my right hon. Friend Mr Maude, meets regularly with Sir Andrew Dilnot, Chair of the Authority, to discuss a range of statistical matters, including the accuracy of official statistics.