The ONS also keeps the adoptions contact register set up in 1991. This is kept in two parts - part one for adopted people and part two for their relatives. A link is made when a registration on part one matches with one in part two. The adoption details kept on this register are for persons who were adopted through a Court in England and Wales. The ONS also registers buildings for civil marriage and places of worship.
Statistics play an important part in the life of a nation.
They support the formulation and monitoring of economic and social policies by government, provide a window on the work and performance of government by its citizens and promote the efficient functioning of industry and commerce. The ONS is a government department that is answerable to government and business. The ONS operates as an independent executive agency bringing together the economic and social statistical expertise of the CSO, OPCS, the services of the registration services and Census Division. The ONS vision of itself in the next five years is encapsulated in the ONS 2000 programme. Each government department or agency will have a statistical directorate.