Written question asked by Lord Lipsey (Labour), in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 3 May 2001. It was answered by Lord McIntosh of Haringey (Labour) on Thursday, 3 May 2001 on behalf of the Office for National Statistics.

McIntosh of Haringey, Lord

Question: What information is available from the census which is not available from other sources; and what cross-checks are carried out to identify the accuracy or otherwise of the census; and what trials of the census questionnaire were carried out prior to its general use; and what would be the approximate cost of a sample census based on a sample of 1:10,000 carried out (a) a random survey by telephone and (b) household questionnaire; and what are the advantages and disadvantages of a full census as compared with a sample survey of the population; and what plans they have to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the 2001 census after its completion. Inc ref to Cm 4253 and text of letter from Mr Len Cook of National Statistics. [HL 1845] [HL 1846] [HL 1847] [HL 1848] [HL 1849] [HL 1850].

Secondary information