§ 36. Mr. Leslie Huckfieldasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what discussions have been held between the Registrar General and the British Computer Society about the dissemination and sale of census information; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Sir K. JosephThe first of a series of meetings between the Registrars General and representatives of the British Computer Society and of the Royal Statistical Society has taken place. The purpose is to discuss various aspects of the security of Census information, including the release of statistical tables. I shall in due course report to the House the outcome of the discussions.
§ 51. Mr. George Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what instructions he issued concerning the payment of a Census enumerator's fee to people who are in receipt of unemployment benefit; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Sir K. JosephPayment of fees to all Census enumerators in England and Wales and in Scotland, respectively, was made on the same basis and without regard to other income. For the effect of these fees on unemployment benefit, I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Pembroke (Mr. Nicholas Edwards) on 8th April.—[Vol. 815, c.269.]
§ 52. Mr. Normantonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many representations have been made to his Department drawing his attention to anomalies in the machinery established to carry out the national Census.
§ Sir K. JosephIf my hon. Friend will indicate what kind of anomalies he has in mind, I will try to give him the information asked for.
§ 64. Mr. Normantonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, 52W following representations made to him, he is satisfied that the payments made to the enumerators in the national Census are adequate; and whether he will take steps to increase the rates.
§ Sir K. JosephInformation is now being obtained from census officers of instances in which they consider enumerators had excessive workloads I shall consider, in the light of these reports, whether there is any case for an increase in their remuneration.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many cases have been reported to him of census forms, completed and otherwise, that have gone astray, been mislaid, stolen and wrongly directed; and what have been the results of his investigation of these reports.
§ Sir K. JosephI have received reports on four cases in which Census forms were 9tolen or otherwise went astray. All the forms concerned have been recovered.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is aware that on Friday 14th May, 1971 there were many completed Census forms still to be collected; what is, at the latest date, the number of completed Census forms which have not been collected; and when he expects the collection to have been completed.
§ Sir K. JosephThe number of completed Census forms not yet collected is not known centrally but my information is that collection was virtually finished some 10 days ago.
§ Mr. Normantonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will list the duties on the basis of which Census enumerators were engaged; and to what extent these were exceeded.
§ Sir K. JosephThe duties of the Census enumerators, as set out in the form of application, were
To make an advance round of the enumeration area, deliver Census forms, collect Census forms, complete Working Records, assign National Grid references, check, arrange and number Census forms, complete Permanent Record, a population summary and complete computer input sheets.No other duties were subsequently imposed on enumerators.