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Treasury;Office for National Statistics

Answer

Miss McIntosh: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what precautions have been taken to ensure that the delivery of census forms does not contribute to the spread of foot and mouth disease from farm to farm; [158955] (2) what provision has been made for those who have not yet received a census form that they can be collected so deliveries on farms are avoided. [158956] Miss Melanie Johnson: [holding answer 26 April 2001]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply. Letter from Len Cook to Miss Anne McIntosh, dated 30 April 2001: As Registrar General for England and Wales I have been asked to reply to your recent questions asking (1) what precautions have been taken to ensure that the delivery of census forms does not contribute to the spread of food and mouth disease and (2) what provision has been made for those who have not yet received a census form that they can be collected so that deliveries on farms are avoided. (158955, 158956) On 2 April I released a statement announcing plans for conducting the Census in areas affected by foot and mouth disease. I attach a copy of this for your information. This explains that census-takers working in the countryside have been instructed to respect all foot and mouth restrictions, and the wishes of the farming community. Specific guidance for census- takers has been drafted in consultation with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) and has been endorsed by the National Assembly for Wales, as well as by the National Farmer's Union. Specifically, in infected areas and premises within exclusion zones, census-takers have been instructed: not to attempt to gain access to any premises under MAFF restrictions; not to visit any premises with susceptible livestock; to obey any signs forbidding or restricting access to premises; to stay on metalled/public roads; and to try to make contact by telephone to find out how best to deliver the Census form. Details of these procedures have been provided to all Census area managers, and have been incorporated into the training of enumerators. New arrangements are in place so that Census forms can be delivered to farms and households by mail if necessary, or, where practical, collected from an agreed point such as a farm boundary. Completed forms will be returned by mail. The 2001 Census and Foot and Mouth National Statistician Len Cook today expressed confidence that the Census in England and Wales scheduled for 29 April can be conducted safely and efficiently despite the restrictions imposed to combat foot and mouth disease. Census-takers working in the countryside have been instructed to respect all foot and mouth restrictions, and the wishes of the farming community. New arrangements are being put in place so that Census forms can be delivered to farms and households by mail, or, where practical, to an agreed point such as a farm boundary. Completed forms will be returned by mail. The special instructions, drafted in consultation with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food, have been endorsed by the National Assembly for Wales, as well as by the National Farmers Union. Details of the procedures have been delivered to area and district managers, and are incorporated in the training of census-takers. Mr. Cook said today "Senior Census officials last week visited teams in the regions worst affected by foot and mouth. They confirmed the practicality of the special arrangements for delivering Census forms in rural areas where there are restrictions. "I am certain that, with these arrangements in place, the Census can be carried through without danger of contributing to the spread of the disease." "I am very conscious of the distress and difficulty foot and mouth disease is causing, and we shall do nothing that might contribute to its spread." Census Director Graham Jones, who on Tuesday visited the North of England and met field staff from Cumbria, Northumberland and Yorkshire, today said: "The people at the sharp end say the revised procedures are entirely practical, and can be applied sensibility and flexibly by census-takers in the countryside." Alex Clark, Deputy Census Director, had meetings with field staff in Wales and Devon, and reported a similar positive reaction. In many places, area managers are liaising with local authorities to ensure compliance with local restrictions. Forms are scheduled for delivery to households between 9 and 20 April. Delivery in areas where there are restrictions may be delayed by a few days, but forms will reach households in time for the Census on 29 April. If necessary the deadline for returning forms will be extended. "The information made available by the Census is essential to the planning activities of a whole range of private and public sector bodies," Mr. Cook said. "It will help determine resource allocation decisions on billions of pounds of public expenditure, which will be vitally important for the rural community and the rural economy. In these extremely difficult circumstances we are delighted by the co-operation we are receiving".

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

367 c512W;367 c512-3W; 158955;158956

Session

2000-01

Subjects

Access Codes of practice Census Farms Disease control Foot and mouth disease Postal services Training

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk