KEVIN BRENNAN MP

5 FEBRUARY 2009

  Q100  Chairman: You would have taken advice.

  Kevin Brennan: I would have.

  Q101  Chairman: Who would you have taken advice from?

  Kevin Brennan: From the statisticians and the civil servants in the department concerned.

  Q102  Kelvin Hopkins: Kevin is going to write to us again with more information as you requested. There is one sentence in Gus O'Donnell's letter which I find puzzling. It is the last paragraph on the first page and I shall read it out: "Although the head of statistics profession for the NHS Information Centre, supported by Department of Health officials, refused to sanction the publication of hospital admissions figures, the Home Office used the figure in the fact sheet following consultation with a special adviser in No 10, in the belief that concerns of NHS statisticians had been addressed." Was it the Special Adviser who told them that their concerns have been addressed or did someone else tell them they had been addressed or did they not know in the first place that the NHS statisticians had objected? It is a bit puzzling that sentence.

  Kevin Brennan: That may have to be the subject of further clarity.

  Q103  Chairman: You need to write what you think is a pretty definitive account of what happened in this case including these email trails that we have talked about. We would like to know exactly what sequence of events with what species of individuals were taking actions that produced this result. You said you were going to do it so we look forward to that.

  Kevin Brennan: I will do what I can do, and what I said I would do is on the record.

  Chairman: I am sure it will be full enough to prevent us from calling you back to ask further questions about it. I am looking forward to a comprehensive letter finding out what happened. With that, can I say we miss you greatly on this Committee. You are right: it is much easier to ask the questions than to answer them but you have done very well. Thank you very much indeed.