HC Deb 12 May 1971 vol 817 c130W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, in view of the information supplied to him by the hon. Member for West Ham, North, he will give an assurance that all persons living on boats, houseboats and other vessels moored on rivers, lakes, canals and the Norfolk Broads have received and filled in their Census forms.

Sir K. Joseph

Returns from Census field staff are not yet complete. A report on the coverage achieved by this Census will be made to Parliament in the normal way.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will cause an investigation to be made to ascertain to what extent Census enumerators broke their oaths of secrecy in divulging to any unauthorised persons or organisations details which should not have been passed on to any person or organisation other than the Census Office; and what action he has taken, or intends taking, in each instance, except in the case in which proceedings have been issued.

Sir K. Joseph

Unlawful disclosure of any information acquired in the course of his employment as a Census enumerator would be a breach of the enumerator's undertaking. This is covered in the Census Regulations, 1970, and does not require investigation. Any such occurrence would be dealt with under these regulations.