§ Mr. BurnsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps are being taken to meet future needs for statistical information on population and housing of the type currently provided by periodic censuses.
§ Mr. DorrellI have decided, together with my colleagues responsible for the census offices in Scotland and Northern Ireland, that there should be a review of the future needs for census-type information on population and housing in the United Kingdom and the options for providing it.
Arrangements have therefore been made for the census offices of the United Kingdom—the Office of Population 572W Censuses and Surveys, the General Register Office (Scotland), and the Census Office (Northern Ireland)—to lead an evaluation and reappraisal of census policy in consultation with other Government Departments. This will cover what kind of information will be needed, how it is to be collected, how frequently it should be provided, and how it should be disseminated.
The census offices will shortly begin to consult organisations and individuals with interests in the future of census-type information in the United Kingdom. This will include the national health service, local government, the academic community, commercial bodies, and the European Community.
Copies of the paper on which the consultation will be based have been placed in the Library.