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 assurances of confidentiality were given on the decennial population census for Northern Ireland in 2001.

Answer: Mr. Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assurances of confidentiality were given on the decennial population census for Northern Ireland in 2001. [216856] Mr. Pearson: The following statement appeared on the cover of the 2001 census form. "The information you provide is protected by law and treated in strict confidence. The information is only used for statistical purposes, and anyone using or disclosing census information improperly will be liable to prosecution. Census forms will be held securely under the terms of the Public Records Act (Northern Ireland) 1923." Publicity material for the 2001 Census also stated that "by law the census form and the information it contains is kept secret and cannot be divulged to anyone."

Secondary information