§ 61. Sir K. WOODasked the Minister of Health whether he can make a general statement as to the taking of the recent Census; if the same has been successfully carried out; whether the work of the enumerators has been satisfactory and the departure from the normal system of recruitment justified; what has been the number of withdrawals and defaults of enumerators before and during the actual course of the operations; whether any previous undertaking was given by such individuals before their appointment was made; and what was the amount and method of their remuneration?
§ Mr. GREENWOODThe Census enumeration has now been completely carried out; but with regard to the matters referred to in the earlier part of the question I shall not be in a position for some considerable time to add to the statement thereon contained in my reply of the 30th ultimo to the hon. Member for Fife, East (Mr. Millar). With regard to the latter portion of the question, enumerators become subject on appointment to statutory obligations and are required to sign an affirmation that they are aware of the provisions of the Act and Regulations in this respect and 556 undertake to observe them. The scale of payment for Census enumerators consists of a fixed fee of £2, together with a population fee at the rate of 3s. per hundred persons enumerated after the first hundred, a further allowance being made in rural areas in respect of the extra time involved in travelling.
§ Sir K. WOODIs it true that a large number of enumerators withdrew without notice during the Census or before it was taken?
§ Mr. GREENWOODNo, it is not true that a large number did. As I said last week in the House, 2,000 did before the time and at the time—they are only 5 per cent.—but the number who failed us at the moment was a very, very small fraction indeed.
§ Sir K. WOODIs it not a fact that in certain districts all the forms have not yet been returned or made available?
§ Mr. GREENWOODNo. I have already said, in the first part of my answer, that the returns are now all complete.
§ Lieut.-Colonel FREMANTLECan the right hon. Gentleman say when the first preliminary report may be expected?
§ Mr. GREENWOODIn a few weeks.
§ 55. Sir WILLIAM DAVISONasked the Minister of Health whether he has any statement to make to the House with regard to the 2,000 enumerators who defaulted in the middle of their work in connection with the Census; whether the terms and conditions of their employment were explained to them beforehand; and what action is being taken in the matter?
§ Mr. GREENWOODFull information as to the terms and conditions of service were available to enumerators before finally accepting appointment. The cases of those who made default of their Census duties will be individually considered as soon as full information is available. But I should inform the hon. Member that the figure mentioned by him apparently relates to the number referred to in my reply of the 30th 557 ultimo to the hon. Member for Fife, East (Mr. Millar) of withdrawals during the few weeks preceding the Census as well as of defaults during the actual course of the operations, and that the latter represent a very small proportion of that total.
§ Sir W. DAVISONCan the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that any persons found to have defaulted or to have withdrawn will not receive unemployment benefit?
§ Mr. GREENWOODThat I could not say without notice.