§ Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, bearing in mind the difficulties of many people with 429W the English and Welsh languages, he will review the requirement that the census form relating to the census of population to be taken on 5 April 1981 should be completed only in either of these languages; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir George YoungThe Office of Population Censuses and Surveys has made provision for persons with such difficulties. Most census questions are answered by ticking boxes. Although the census forms will be printed in English and in Welsh (for distribution in Wales only), translations of the census questions will be made available in nine other languages (Bengali, Cantonese, Greek, Gujarati, Hindi, Italian, Punjabi, Turkish, Urdu) in England and Wales.
Persons unable to complete a form in English may seek help from the enumerator or, in districts where their need is evident, interpreters will be available.
OPCS will encourage members of the ethnic minorities to apply for posts as enumerators and interpreters.