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Statistics are an essential part of government and a parliamentary democracy. They provide government and those involved in delivering public services with the information they need to plan, monitor and review decisions. They also provide Parliament, the public and media with the information they need to form their own views on matters of public policy and judge the implementation and impact of government decisions. Government statistics, which cover many aspects of society, also provide valuable information for a huge range of users - from businesses to students.
With this diverse range of users and interests in mind we consider the arrangements for the management of statistics, and especially the arrangements to assure professional independence and objectivity, to be of the utmost importance. We are committed to the best international statistics standards and principles.
But beyond that the Scottish Government is committed to public services that are high quality, continually improving, efficient and responsive to local people's needs. That is an outcome that we seek for the statistics service as much as any other part of government.
This Framework, which will in due course be complemented by a revised Code of Practice for official statistics provides in some detail the arrangements we have in place to manage statistics in a way which meets these aims.
Jim Mather
Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism with responsibility for overall statistics arrangements.
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