Statistics and Registration Service Bill

moved AmendmentNo. 116: 116: Clause 25, page 10, line 25, at end insert— ““( ) The report under subsection (1) shall include an appraisal of the discharge of the Board’s duties under section 26.”” The noble Lord said: As it stands, Clause 25 ensures that the Statistics Board will report annually to Parliament and to the devolved administrations. The amendment seeks to add to what is included in that report. Clause 26 requires the board to act efficiently and not incur unnecessary costs or burdens, or impose them on others. This is an important clause. Its effectiveness will be considerably enhanced by making the board examine its own efficiency and cost-effectiveness, and include that appraisal in its annual report. The requirement to report on how burdens on others are being kept to a minimum will encourage the board to think twice before imposing unnecessary demands on other organisations and individuals. I beg to move.