Transcript Statistical Legislation and Positioning of NSO in Government - Statistics Norway - Luanda Dec 06

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Statistical Legislation and
Positioning of NSO in Government
Olav Ljones, Deputy Director General, Head of
Department of Economic Statistics, Statistics
Norway. www.ssb.no, [email protected]
Luanda, Angola
Dec. 2. 2006
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The concept of official statistics
• It is important to see the distinction between official statistics
and other statistics.
• What are the main characteristics of official statistics?
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It should be authoritative. It must be trusted.
It should describe socially important phenomena
It should meet the needs for a variety of users and the public.
It should follow recognised professional and ethical standards.
• How can a Statistics Act ensure quality official statistics?
• What is the best positioning of the NSO in government to
ensure quality official statistics?
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Paradox: Official statistics is a key concept, but
there is no clear definition of official statistics.
• Can we define it, based on characteristics of the
“product” official statistics?
• Or should it be defined based on activities, “Statistics
produced by the National Statistical Institute is official
statistics”.
• A discussion of the concept Official Statistics
following both
paths is fruitful, but neither of them give a precise definition
of official statistics.
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Some national differences as regards official
statistics and the institutional setting
• The degree of centralisation of official statistics, will vary.
• The international obligations may vary. ( EU members have
international legal commitments.)
• The access and use of public administrative data for official
statistics will vary between countries.
• The role of legislation in the definition and production of
official statistics will vary.
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The role of legislation in building a system for
official statistics.
• The Statistics
Act should adapt to the legal tradition in the
country.
• Is it fruitful that international
organisations have something
like a model law?
• The Act has to take account of
each country’s legal tradition
and has to be adapted to other national laws.
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Some elements to consider to include in
statistical legislation
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Definitions of statistics and official statistics.
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The legal position of the NSI . What is the legal definition
of theNSI. Who owns the NSI? The independent role of
NSI in professional matters.
The role and responsibilities of the National Statistical
Institute. Also others than the NSI may produce official
statistics. Who decides about the production of official
statistics?
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Cont.
4. The management of NSI. The responsibilities of the
Director General. Who appoints the DG? Who may have
the power to replace the DG?
5. Should the owner – the ministry – be the only responsible
steering body, or should it be a board and/or council?
6. The mapping of the need and use of official statistics.
7. The use of statistics act as a legal base for collection of
data for the purpose of official statistics.
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collect data from individuals (citizens).
collect data from firms etc.
collect data from other parts of government.
access to the content of administrative registers.
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Cont.
8. The use of compulsory fines for non response. Should it be
used for business sector only?
9. Obligation of secrecy, confidentiality.
10. The right to decide on dissemination, publication
11. The use of information collected for statistical purposes for
other purposes as administrative purposes. In general this
is not acceptable.
12. Coordination of statistics at national level (if official
statistics may be produced also by other government
bodies).
13. The responsibility for international statistical activities.
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The position of the NSI - to consider.
• The autonomy in professional matters.
• The autonomy in economic matters, the need for solid
financing.
• The financing from government budget is crucial.
• Who will give best professionally advice?
• Who will be strongest in defending the principles of official
statistics?
• What ministry will be
best suited to both defend the NSI
and to not intervene by themselves?
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Ministry of Finance - the most common ?
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Questions for working groups.
• Should
the definition of official statistics be precise and
legal ? Should the NSO label what is official statistics?
• How should independency be most efficiently legally
defined and guaranteed ?
• Data capture – How to give the relevant power to the NSO
to collect data for official statistics. Should the act give the
NSO unlimited access to all data – including all
administrative records?
• Confidentiality rules. Same principles for individuals and
business ? When and how should micro-data be given to
users (for example the research community)?
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