Mr. John M. TaylorTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action has been taken to reduce the storage and maintenance costs for the United Kingdom 1841 to 1991 decennial census returns since Sir Peter Levine reported on them in 1997; and if any of the returns has been identified for early destruction. [78268]
§ Mr. HoonI have been asked by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to reply to this question.
Decennial census returns, whether held by the Public Record Office or the Office for National Statistics, are stored and maintained in the most cost effective manner possible while respecting their safe keeping and preservation and the occasional need for access to those which are open. No additional action has been taken to reduce costs since 1997.
No returns have been identified for early destruction.