HC Deb 25 April 1911 vol 24 cc1590-1
Mr. BUTCHER

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the fact that the figures as to population obtained by the recent Census in regard to nearly every city, town, village, and parish in Scotland have already been published in the local newspapers, whereas similar statistics of population are being withheld from publication in England; whether he will state what reason exists for this difference of procedure in England and Scotland respectively; and whether, having regard to the public interest felt in these questions and the general desire that these statistics should be made known at the earliest opportunity, he will give directions that the same early publicity shall be given to these statistics in England which has been given in Scotland?

Mr. BURNS

I presume that the Scottish figures have been communicated to the Press by the local officials. The officials in this country were instructed that they were not at liberty to divulge information derived in the course of their duties. I think it is better to wait a few weeks for the issue of the Preliminary Report on the Census than to allow the publication of anticipatory figures which might afterwards be found to be somewhat erroneous.

MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINE

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean that the figures for Scotland are incorrect?

Mr. BURNS

On the contrary, but the Noble Lord will see the difference between figures secured from a country of roughly 5,000,000 of people and figures secured from a country of roughly 36,000,000 of people.

Mr. SCOTT DICKSON

Within what time will the figures be known?

Mr. BURNS

I believe summaries for England and Wales will be, as promised, ready about June.

Mr. BUTCHER

Is there any objection to publishing the figures of the different localities in England as soon as they are ready?

Mr. BURNS

The view has been that in regard to England and Wales, with a population estimated at this moment at 36,000,000, considering the large difference between the two countries and the small difference between waiting ten years or nine years and nine months, we are warranted in taking the later period.