HC Deb 19 June 1990 vol 174 cc531-2W
Dr. David Clark

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the data from each of the 1987, 1988 and 1989 agricultural census returns at parish level will be available at the Public Record Office at Kew.

Mr. Maclean

The dispatch of 1987 agricultural census returns at parish level to the Public Record Office at Kew was completed on 25 May 1990. It is anticipated that the 1988 returns will be sent to the Public Record Office in February 1991.

Due to the rapidly increasing use of census data, and the availability of more powerful analytical tools, a review is currently being carried out of the appropriate level of aggregation for publication of agriculture census data. Until this review has been completed information requested for 1989 returns cannot be supplied.

Dr. David Clark

To ask the Minister of Agriculture Fisheries and Food why parish level agricultural census returns are no longer available for public inspection at the Ministry censuses and surveys division at Guildford; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Maclean

Parish level agricultural census returns are now held at the Ministry offices at Guildford for the latest published year only. There is insufficient space at Guildford to retain returns for earlier years and provide adequate facilities for the public to inspect them. Data from the latest published years returns are supplied by Guildford staff to the public by telephone (minor enquiries only) and, more normally, by post upon payment of the pre-determined fee.

Parish level agricultural census returns for earlier years are available for public inspection at the Public Record Office at Kew.