Bermuda’s lack of comprehensive statistics on a range of different subjects has been a source of irritation for decades. The lack of detailed information makes it difficult to make sound and intelligent policy decisions. Equally, an enormous amount of misinformation is spread about, based largely on anecdotal information, and it is difficult to rebut these views without sound statistics.

Against that, people have the right to protect their privacy and must be certain that the information they provide remains confidential. When questions are asked about people’s medical histories and their financial standing, it is particularly important that they be assured that it is confidential.

That is why the Statistics Act, approved by the House of Assembly on Friday, has raised concerns. The Act obliges people to provide information on a wide range of subjects and places the onus on them to prove why they should not do so. Companies will also be concerned that they may have to make available sales information and other confidential matters.

While the Act would penalise civil servants who leak information collected by the Department, one wonders if a maximum fine of $5,000 will be a sufficient deterrent in all cases. One also wonders if a regulation could not be put in the legislation making it mandatory for surveys to be made public within a certain amount of time — the Census, which was conducted in 2000 and has still not been released, becomes more redundant every day that it is not released. What is the use of expanding the Island’s ability collect statistics if they are never published?

Overall, it would appear that there are parts of this bill that do not give adequate protection to the people being forced to provide it; the Senate should examine this legislation carefully before approving it.