Part 1The Statistics Board
National Statistics
I111Pre-release access
1
The Code of Practice for Statistics under section 10 may not deal with any matter relating to the granting of pre-release access to official statistics.
2
The appropriate authority may for the purposes of the Code by order provide for rules and principles relating to the granting of pre-release access to official statistics.
3
The Code shall apply in relation to any official statistics as if it included any rules and principles provided for in relation to those statistics under subsection (2).
4
The rules and principles which may be provided for under subsection (2) include rules and principles as to—
a
the circumstances in which, or descriptions of statistics in relation to which, pre-release access may or may not be granted;
b
the persons or descriptions of person to whom pre-release access may be granted;
c
the period, or maximum period, during which pre-release access may be so granted;
d
the conditions subject to which pre-release access may be so granted.
5
Those rules and principles may—
a
make different provision for different cases, and
b
allow for the exercise of discretion by persons responsible for official statistics.
F15A
Subsections (2) to (5) are subject to section 11A.
6
In this section “appropriate authority” means—
a
the Minister for the Cabinet Office, except in a case falling within paragraphs (b) to (d);
b
the Scottish Ministers, in relation to official statistics that are wholly Scottish devolved statistics;
c
the Welsh Ministers, in relation to official statistics that are wholly Welsh devolved statistics;
d
the Department of Finance and Personnel for Northern Ireland, in relation to official statistics that are wholly Northern Ireland devolved statistics.
7
Before making an order under subsection (2) the appropriate authority must consult—
a
the other persons referred to in subsection (6)(a) to (d), and
b
the Board.
8
In this section “pre-release access”, in relation to official statistics, means access to the statistics in their final form prior to publication.