HC Deb 23 November 1977 vol 939 cc757-8W
Mr. Jim Callaghan

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what progress has been made so far in preparation for the next census of population.

Mr. Moyle

Consultation on the 1981 Census with users of census statistics is well advanced; discussions both formal and informal have been held with representatives of local government and of research and academic interests. The views of others are being sought. Discussions are also proceeding in the EEC on the harmonisation of the 1981 censuses to be taken in the nine member countries.

A series of voluntary tests to try out procedures and question wording and to seek the public's views on these matters has been launched. The Registrar General is grateful to all the people who took part in the first test which was carried out in April in areas of Cambridgeshire, Devon, Leicester and York.

A further test involving some 50,000 households is being planned for next April in the Districts of Slough, Berkshire, and Weymouth and Portland, Dorset. Its purpose it to try out modifications in procedures aimed particularly at helping the public to make their census returns. Again, I hope that everyone approached to take part in the test will do so. The answers given in these voluntary tests will be entirely confidential, and no information about individual persons or households will be passed outside the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys.

The form to be used in this next test has been developed over the past year after a separate series of small-scale tests. Specimen forms will be placed in the Library as soon as they are available.