Public: Need to have confidence

The UK's independent statistics watchdog has called on the creation of a binding and statutory code of practice governing the release of official data.

Following recent rows over the presentation of information such as NHS waiting times, the Statistics Commission said the measure was necessary to ensure that public trust in official statistics is maintained.

In its annual report for 2003/04 the commission's chairman, Professor David Rhind, said that "crucial decisions depend on official statistics" and warned that a code was now essential.

"The commission exists to help make sure that we can all trust them," he said.

"As a commission, we have experienced frustration at our requests for information sometimes being ignored or our recommendations simply eliciting broad generalisations by way of response.

"Whilst we recognise that the government has made real progress in recent years in establishing the concept of statistical independence, we believe that the existing voluntary code of practice is, in some respects, inadequate."

Rhind also announced that the government had appointed existing commissioner Derek Wanless to the new role of vice chairman of the commission and Ian Beesley as a new commissioner.

"Derek Wanless is a well known and trusted public figure who has made a substantial commitment already to the work of the commission," added Rhind.

"Ian Beesley will bring to the commission great experience, both within government and in private consultancy at a very high level."