DWP Data
Debate between Rob Marris and Priti Patel(9 years, 4 months ago)
Commons ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
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Priti Patel
My hon. Friend is right. As I have said, data are complex and we should not simply read them and make assumptions; they need analysis.
Rob Marris (Wolverhampton South West) (Lab)
I entirely agree that one should not make assumptions and that the last Government had a better record on transparency of statistics than some previous Governments, albeit the Office for National Statistics repeatedly criticised Ministers in the last Government for misusing statistics. The Minister accuses Opposition Members of scare- mongering and hand-wringing, but how can she know—I do not—unless she already has the statistics?
Priti Patel
As I have said, the statistics will be published, and the hon. Gentleman can then make his own informed decision.