Mr. Robert G. HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps have been taken to ensure that all staff in the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys are covered by the additional confidentiality provisions inserted into the Census Act 1920 by the Census (Confidentiality) Act 1991; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. DorrellThe Registrar General for England and Wales has designated the office of director of the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys for the purposes of section 8 of the Census Act 1920 as amended. The post of director of OPCS is the other office that the registrar general holds. Its designation has ensured that all staff who are or have been under his control, and all those people who provided or have provided services to him, are now bound by the confidentiality provisions of the Census Act 1920 as amended if they have access to any personal census data. This applies whether they work or have worked for him as registrar general or as director of the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys.