Access to the 1921 Census

[oldtimer]

Guy, I think it is a great idea, and I for one would sign the petition. 

[Windsor87]

It won't work Guy.

Given the change in economic policy, none of us will be able to afford credits of any kind in 6 months time.

(Please take as a joke, and not a political point against David Clegg and Nick Cameron)

[Jean McGurn]

I think there are a number of pros and cons for early release on the 1921 census. The biggest pro being that raising revenue to help the country's deficit could be good in as much as it may help reduce some of the reductions of essential public services.

Whilst I realise that some dark secrets may get thrown up, I think that so long as the person discovering such a secret didn't go telling everyone then where is the harm.

One can actually find out these secrets by accident if they have sent off for certificates thinking they are a missing relative.

I would also sign a petition as like oldtimer I too think it's a great idea.

[Silvilocks]

Yes Christine,

However, and maybe I'm a lucky one, my mother, brother and I used to have many 'family' discussions;  tales passed down, shared experiences, possible futures and working out theories of how and why things are.

Me and my mum have those discussions too Garth. The problem is, so much of what she's told me has been disproved in some way when I've checked it out  She wasn't born until 1931, so I'm still operating on hearsay for the 20's and I'd like to confirm a few things.

When people bring up the question of people who are on the census not wanting it's release (in spite of Guy constantly pointing out that the 100 year closure doesn't exist), I always want to know what's going to happen if the census is kept closed for 100 years on privacy grounds, because of the misconception that confidentiality was promised. An increasing number of people live longer than 100 years now, so even if the census isn't made public until 2021, it's still going to contain information about living people. Effectively people are saying that it's wrong to release the 2021 census on a day when a person entered on it is 99 years and 364 days old, but if it's released the day after their one hundredth birthday, that's fine 

Personally, I'll sign in favour of early release. I paid for a household entry from the 1911 before it came online, hoping to solve a family mystery, and all it did was throw up two more. The 2021 can't be released early enough for me.

[Gartag]

In case I've been mis-understood, I'm definately for an early release.  I just don't think we can get throgh the 'red tape' aspect. If a petition is started then I'll sign up.

Cheers

Garth

[toni*]

Hi Sloe Gin i don't need to reread what i posted i muddle myself up over which war sorry for the confusion

[Mort29]

Hi Guy - nice idea, gets my support!

Do you know anything about the deal on the 1911 census revenue wise for Govt coffers?

Given that it went to Brightsolid for filming and indexing, I guess they take a lions share to recoup their costs?

The National Audit Office report on the release of the 1901 census stated that the internet access to the 1901 generated revenues of £4.5 million by October 2003, less than one year.
 
In five years that amounts to a conservative sum of £22.5 million and useful figure for even a government to play with.

[Steve G]

Guy; Just point me, when and where to sign 

[Guy Etchells]

According to a BBC report the there was talk by MPs that the 1911 would bring in about £40 million pounds.
I have not tried to confirm that figure so avoided using it.

I would say however that the Registrar General exceeded his authority when he stated on the 1981 and 1991 census schedules that the information would be retained for 100 years before being released.

Hansard 14 March 2005 : column 77W reports his (Registrar General, Len Cook) admission  he did not have the authority to make such a pledge.

With that in mind the only census to legally carry the pledge the census would not be released for 100 years was the 2001 census.
Cheers
Guy