| THE SCOTTISH
OFFICE STATISTICAL SERVICES |
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| Our roles
and aims |
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| Our role is
to provide Parliament, government and the wider community
with statistical information, analysis and advice on most
aspects of Scottish life. This information is provided
mainly through statistical bulletins and is used to
improve decision-making, stimulate research and inform
debate. We aim to provide an authoritative and impartial
picture of society and a window on the work and
performance of government, which allows the impact of
government policies and actions to be assessed. |
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| Our
commitment to data suppliers |
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| Confidentiality:
Confidential data from statistical enquiries is handled
in accordance with the Government Statistical Service
Code of Practice and with the Data Protection Act. |
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| Burden:
Information is not collected unnecessarily, but only when
there is a clearly identified need. Only the minimum
amount of information is collected to meet this need. |
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| Review of
data collection: Data collection systems are reviewed
regularly to ensure that the information is still
required and that the collection system is operating
cost-effectively. These reviews are conducted in
conjunction with both users and suppliers of the data. |
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| Liaison:
Close liaison is maintained with major suppliers of
statistical data, e.g. local authorities, by a system of
liaison committees. |
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| Feedback:
Arrangements for major data suppliers to have access to
the data (subject to confidentiality constraints) at no,
or reduced, cost, is handled by the liaison committees or
by direct consultation. |
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| Our
commitment to users |
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| Integrity:
We ensure the statistics produced are not presented in a
way which is misleading. We also comprehensively check
the data at all stages to safeguard standards of
accuracy. |
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| Openness:
We are completely open about our methods of collecting
and processing data and about the methodology used in
published analyses. |
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| Guides:
We produce regularly updated information leaflets on The
Scottish Office statistical publications. Copies are
normally distributed with statistical bulletins or can be
obtained from the address for general enquiries (see back
page). |
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| Release:
We will provide on request all available statistical
information, subject to confidentiality, reliability,
pre-publication embargoes, and on sufficient resources
being available to carry out the work involved. An
appropriate charge may be made. |
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| Timeliness:
We guarantee that requests or correspondence will be
given either a substantive reply within 7 working days or
an acknowledgement to be followed up (by a stated date)
with a substantive reply. |
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| THE
GOVERNMENT STATISTICAL SERVICE |
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| The
Government Statistical Service (GSS) is the major
provider of official statistics in the United Kingdom and
comprises statistical staff in many government
departments and agencies working in partnership. Together
they provide a quality statistical service to a wide
range of users. The GSS mission is |
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| "to
provide Parliament, government and the wider community
with the statistical information, analysis and advice
needed to improve decision making, stimulate research and
inform debate". |
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| Each
department produces its own statistical publications, and
also contributes to GSS compendia publications and
databases. The Scottish Office Statistical Services are
part of the GSS, and are committed to adhering to its
Code of Practice and high standards. We work with GSS
colleagues across government to provide coherent and
consistent official statistics. |
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| GSS
publications are grouped under the following broad
subject headings: Compendia & Reference / Social
& Welfare / Health & Care / The Economy /
Commerce Energy & Industry / Labour Market /
Population & Migration / Education & Training /
Crime & Justice / Environment / Transport, Travel
& Tourism / Agriculture & Fishing / Other
Government. This publication belongs to the Commerce
Energy & Industry section. |
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