§ Matthew GreenTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of census forms have been returned. [17570]
§ Ruth KellyThe information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
Letter from Len Cook to Matthew Green, dated 26 November 2001:
As National Statistician and Registrar General for England and Wales I have been asked to reply to your recent question about the percentage of census forms that have been returned (17570).Currently ONS estimates that the 2001 Census response rate will reach 98 per cent. of households.Postback response for England and Wales as a whole was estimated to be around 88 per cent. of forms. Estimates from field managers reports suggest a further 7 per cent. of forms were collected by the field staff in the follow-up exercise. Judging from our 1991 knowledge possibly 3 per cent. of forms are expected to relate to vacant properties or second residences.