HC Deb 20 December 1974 vol 883 cc738-9W
Mr. George Rodgers

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when the next census of population will be taken

Mrs. Castle

The Government have decided that, in view of the pressing need in the latter part of this decade for comprehensive and up-to-date information on which to base decisions over a wide range of social and economic policies at both national and local level, a census of population will be taken in 1976. A draft Order in Council directing that the census be taken and prescribing the date and the particulars to be stated in the returns will be laid before Parliament early next year. A White Paper will also be published outlining the topics proposed for the census and the general arrangements.