§
Motion made, and Question proposed.
That the Draft Census of Distribution (1958) (Restriction on Disclosure) Order, 1956, a copy of which was laid before this House on 6th November, be approved.—[Mr. Erroll.]
§ Mr. Douglas Jay (Battersea, North)I wonder whether the Government speaker would say a word explaining this Order.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade (Mr. F. J. Erroll)The Order is extremely limited in scope and does not raise all the general questions about the Census of Distribution. Under the Statistics of Trade Act provision was made to prevent the disclosure of particulars furnished by individual undertakings, and powers were given to the President of the Board of Trade to extend the controls over disclosure.
In the exercise of his powers he has submitted this Order to the House. It provides that there shall be no disclosure of information sent in by individuals, even to other Government Departments or to the Import Duties Advisory Committee, which was allowed for in the original Act. The Order will help to assure everyone of the absolute confidentiality of the information supplied. It follows the recommendations of the Statutory Advisory Committee for the 1958 Census.
§ Mr. JayAre the Government in fact doing exactly the same as was done in 1950? If they are, perhaps that is the best defence of their action.
§ Mr. ErrollI should like to give that assurance.
§ Question put and agreed to.