§ Mr. Carmichaelasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what tests are being planned prior to the census of population to be taken in 1981.
§ Mr. Millan:A census test will be held on 1st April 1979 and will cover 16,000 households in Montrose, the Lochgilphead and Annan areas and the Woodside area of Glasgow. The purposes of the test will be to improve field procedures and other census processes and to try out redesigned forms which, it is hoped, will be easier for the householder to answer and to assess public reaction to the questionnaire. The test is a voluntary one, but I hope that everyone approached to take part will do so. The answers given in this test, as in the census itself, will be entirely confidential and will not be used for any other administrative purpose. Specimen forms have been placed in the Library of the House of Commons.