Census Legislation

A census is backed by law and debated and approved by Parliament. The Census Act 1920 is the primary legislation which allows a census to be taken. The Census Order and Regulations set out the details for a specific census  and further legislation protects the confidentiality of personal Census information.

• The Census Act 1920

  The statutory authority for the taking of the Census

• The White Paper

  The paper that proposed the date and plans for the 2001 Census

• The Census (Amendment) Act 2000

  Ammendment to the Census Act to grant the authority for the 2001 Census to include a question on religion

• The Census Orders

  The Order specifying the date and conduct of the 2001 Census

• Census Regulations

  Regulations specifying the detailed arrangements for the conduct of the 2001 Census

• Security and confidentiality

  Review od the measures in place to keep census data secure and confidential