HL Deb 20 March 1979 vol 399 c1144WA
Lord AVEBURY

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What methods will be adopted for ensuring that enumerators used in the 1981 Census are responsible people who will not misuse any information which comes into their possession.

The PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY of STATE, DEPARTMENT of HEALTH and SOCIAL SECURITY (Lord Wells-Pestell)

Enumerators will be appointed after interview by census officers. Among the qualities census officers look for in an enumerator is a sense of responsibility. Every endeavour will be made to appoint enumerators to areas where they are not known; an enumerator calling at an address where he is known is instructed to offer a sealed envelope to enable the completed Census form to by-pass him entirely.

All Census field staff will be made fully aware of the need to observe strict confidentiality, and of the penalties for breach of confidence (a fine, up to two years in prison, or both).

House adjourned at a quarter before ten o'clock.