Written question asked by John M Taylor (Conservative) on Wednesday, 9 February 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 23 February 2005. It was answered by Ian Pearson (Labour) on Wednesday, 23 February 2005 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Northern Ireland Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what the penalties are for unlawfully disclosing personal information from closed decennial population censuses for Northern Ireland; how many successful prosecutions there have been for that offence since 1990; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the penalties are for unlawfully disclosing personal information from closed decennial population censuses for Northern Ireland; how many successful prosecutions there have been for that offence since 1990; and if he will make a statement. [216853] Mr. Pearson: The current maximum penalty for unlawful disclosure of personal information supplied in the census is, on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or to both. On conviction on indictment, an individual is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or a fine or both. There have been no prosecutions since 1990.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 431 c624W;431 c620W; 216853
Session: 2004-05
Subjects: Disclosure of information Census Enforcement Northern Ireland Prosecutions
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk