Census Forms Are Being Collected

Census 2001 - Census Forms are Being Collected: March 2001

Census forms will be collected over the next ten days, thereby beginning the second stage of the country's largest survey to count our population and dwellings.

"The census provides a snapshot of who we are - so it is important that everyone fills in their form as accurately as possible," says Government Statistician Brian Pink. "The same person who delivered the form will collect it some time between Wednesday 7 March and Sunday 18 March."

According to Mr Pink, if you have not yet filled in your form it is not too late to do so. "You can still fill in your form - just do so based on what you were doing and where you were on Census Night, March 6."

All the personal information provided in the census is kept totally confidential. It is only used to prepare summary statistics. All information produced from the census is completely anonymous, as names and addresses are not captured as part of the computer records.

Information collected by the census reveals how society has changed over time. As a key source of information about people living in cities, towns, suburbs and rural communities, census information is used in the planning of relevant services, both now and in the future.

In order to reduce the time you need to spend filling in the form, the number of questions asked was reduced from the 54 questions in the 1996 Census to 43 questions in the 2001 Census.

If you have problems completing your form, you can call the helpline on 0800 80 2001. And if you haven't had your form collected by Friday, 16 March, you should also contact the helpline on 0800 80 2001.

Brian Pink GOVERNMENT STATISTICIAN

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