§ Mr. Raymond Fletcherasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when the second of the larger census tests relating to the 1971 census will be held; and what new procedures and questions will be included.
§ Mr. CrossmanThe test will be held on 27th April, 1969. It will take the form of a trial census in three areas in England (Nottingham County Borough, Huddersfield County Borough, High Wycombe Municipal Borough and Wycombe Rural District) and three areas in Scotland (Dumbarton Burgh, Kelso Burgh and Kelso District of Roxburghshire and Barvas North Electoral Division in the Isle of Lewis). Additionally, the Government Social Survey will interview a small number of householders in other parts of Great Britain. About 200,000 householders will be invited to complete questionnaires, in order to test the general efficiency of the enumeration process and in particular to ensure that the public understand the wording of the questions.
A questionnaire booklet is being tried out in place of the traditional single-page form. New questions ask for the date of entry into the United Kingdom for immigrants, the country in which the parents were born, occupation and industry twelve months previously, method of transport to work, number of G.C.E. "A" level passes or equivalent, income, and for women under 60 years of age 362W who are or have been married the dates of birth of their children. New questions on housing are designed to measure the extent to which households share accommodation.
Specimen test questionnaires will be placed in the Library.
Participation in the test will be voluntary but because of its importance for the success of the Census, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I hope that all householders invited will be willing to take part. All information obtained will be treated in confidence.