Tuesday, February 28
Support EDM 1198 & Free the 1911 Census !!
The Freedom of Information Act (2000) was supposed to make it easier to get information out of government, and lead to more openness - especially in those areas where there are outdated indefensible practises.
Well that is exactly the oppsite of what is happening with census records. I have just learnt that the 100-year closure for census records was only introduced in 1966 ! When the 1911 census was taken - no commitment was made to those completing it that the information would be kept secret, and in fact it should have been released in 1962, as the closure rule then in force was only 50 years. But the head of the Public Record Office at the time, refused to do so - delaying the release of the records until after the 100-year rule was introduced 4 years later.
However, the Freedom of Information Act abolished the 100-year closure rule applying to census records ... and the National Archives is still refusing to release them !!
This is being brought to a head in the UK Parliament by Early Day Motion 1198, proposed by Mike Hancock MP, which now has the support of over 130 MPs. The full text reads ...
To see if your MP is supporting it go to the Early Day Motion database. If they are not on the list write to them!!
For more details visit the web site of 1911 Census release campaign.
Well that is exactly the oppsite of what is happening with census records. I have just learnt that the 100-year closure for census records was only introduced in 1966 ! When the 1911 census was taken - no commitment was made to those completing it that the information would be kept secret, and in fact it should have been released in 1962, as the closure rule then in force was only 50 years. But the head of the Public Record Office at the time, refused to do so - delaying the release of the records until after the 100-year rule was introduced 4 years later.
However, the Freedom of Information Act abolished the 100-year closure rule applying to census records ... and the National Archives is still refusing to release them !!
This is being brought to a head in the UK Parliament by Early Day Motion 1198, proposed by Mike Hancock MP, which now has the support of over 130 MPs. The full text reads ...
DECENNIAL CENSUS RECORDS
05.12.2005
That this House notes that the Freedom of Information Act 2000 repealed the 100-year closure period for decennial census records, but that, nevertheless, the Department for Constitutional Affairs and the National Archives assert that it is Government policy that the 1911 Census shall remain closed to inspection for 100 years; and urges the Information Commissioner to take an early opportunity to publish his advice on this matter.
For more details visit the web site of 1911 Census release campaign.