Written question asked by John M Taylor (Conservative) on Tuesday, 20 October 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 26 October 1998. It was answered by Jack Straw (Labour) on Monday, 26 October 1998 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if the information given in confidence at the times of the 1901-1991 decennial censuses of population will be exempt from sections 14a and 14b of the Open Government Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. - Inc ref to Public Records Act 1958; Census Act 1920; Census (Confidentiality) Act 1991.

Answer: Mr. John M. Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the information given in confidence at the times of the 1901-1991 decennial censuses of population will be exempt from sections 14a and 14b of the Open Government Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. [55826] Mr. Straw: The Code of Practice on Access to Government Information is non-statutory and cannot override statutory prohibitions on disclosure. Confidentiality of the information in decennial census returns prior to 1920 is governed by the Public Records Act 1958. Confidentiality of returns since 1920 are governed by the Census Act 1920, as amended by the Census (Confidentiality) Act 1991.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 318 c54-5W; 55826
Session: 1997-98
Subjects: Disclosure of information Census Freedom of information Population