The Pre-release Access to Official Statistics (Wales) Order 2009

Timing of access

4.—(1) Subject to sub-paragraphs (2) to (6)—

(a) in the case of market sensitive statistics, where granting pre-release access the person responsible must not give access to those statistics earlier than 24 hours before the intended time of their publication;

(b) in the case of other statistics, where granting pre-release access the person responsible must not give access to those statistics earlier than the fifth day before the intended date of their publication;

(c) in all cases, the person responsible must not give access earlier than they consider is necessary to fulfil the purpose for which they are granting access.

(2) Where the person responsible grants pre-release access under the ground in paragraph 1(1)(d), sub-paragraphs (1)(a) and (b) do not apply.

(3) Where granting pre-release access the person responsible may give access earlier than is provided for in sub-paragraphs (1)(a) and (b) provided that the following conditions are met–

(a) they consider that such earlier access is necessary to fulfil the purpose for which they are granting pre-release access; and

(b) they consider that the public interest is significantly better served by giving such earlier access (rather than not giving it) having regard to any harm which such earlier access would be likely to cause to–

(i) public trust in the integrity of official statistics generally; or

(ii) public trust in the integrity of particular official statistics.

(4) Where the person responsible gives pre-release access earlier than is provided for in sub-paragraphs (1)(a) and (b) they must, as soon as is reasonably practicable, inform the Statistics Board(1) of–

(a) the fact that they have done so;

(b) the name of the statistics in respect of which such earlier access has been given;

(c) the name and position of the individual to whom such earlier access has been given;

(d) the date and time from which access was given;

(e) the ground in paragraph 1(1) under which access was granted; and

(f) an explanation of the reason for granting such earlier access.

(5) The requirements set out in sub-paragraph (4) apply in cases where the person responsible has granted pre-release access under the ground in paragraph 1(1)(d) as if the restrictions in sub-paragraph (1) did apply to grants under that ground.

(6) The periods of time mentioned in sub-paragraph (1) (“24 hours” and “day”) exclude any period of time which falls within a Saturday, a Sunday, Christmas Day, Good Friday, or a day which is a Bank Holiday under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971(2) in any part of the United Kingdom.

(1)

The Statistics Board (“Y Bwrdd Ystadegau”) was established by section 1(1) of the Act.

(2)

1971 c. 80.