Commentary on Sections and Schedules Part 1: the Statistics Board Sections 56 to 58 Transfers etc
226.Sections 56 to 58 ensure a continuity of property, rights and liabilities from ONS, the National Statistician and the Registrar General to the Board.
227.Section 56 provides for the transfer of property, rights and liabilities from the ONS and the current National Statistician to the Board, with the exception of any property etc. that will be identified in a transfer scheme made by the Minister for the Cabinet Office and transferred to the Registrar General or a Minister of the Crown who will hold it on behalf of the Registrar General.
228.Section 57 provides for the transfer to the Board of the property, rights and liabilities of the Registrar General in relation to the census and other functions transferring to the Board.
229.ONS’s real property and other significant property rights were held by Ministers on behalf of the ONS. Most of the ONS’s freehold and leasehold property (accommodation etc.) is held by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government. Section 58 enables the Minister for the Cabinet Office to make a scheme transferring property (and any rights and liabilities associated with that property) from a Minister of the Crown to the Board or to provide for shared ownership, use or access.