I know that there are a number of petitions being organised on this
topic,
but the one on the 10 Downing Street web site may well be the one that
has
the most hope of success.
At present, our UK Census returns are released as public information
after
100 years have elapsed since the information was gathered. So, the
1901
census was released in January 2002 (with a few "slips 'twixt cup and
lip"!). The proposal is to reduce this private period to 70 years
which
would lead to the early release of the 1911 and 1921 Census returns.
The
1931 Census was completely destroyed by fire many years ago and there
was no
1941 Census taken due to WW2; so if this proposal is accepted, the next
Census to be released would be that taken in 1951 which would appear in
2022 - and would contain the name of yours truly, which is a sobering
thought!
Now there has been a recent legal challenge on the subject of the 1911
Census which has led directly to a press announcement from The National
Archives that they will begin preparation for the early release of that
part
of the 1911 Census which does not contain sensitive information. The
intention is to exclude some data e.g. the data relating to various
disabilities, but to enable searches of names, addresses etc. This
partial
release is planned for 2009 with the entire Census being made available
in
2012 as originally planned. You can read more about this change of
direction on the TNA web site at URL
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/1911census/?homepage=news .
However, currently there is no intention to release the 1921 Census
before
2022.
That's where this 10 Downing Street petition comes in. It is asking
for the
closure period for all UK Census returns to be reduced to 70 years,
thus
making possible the early release of the 1921 Census. So far, under
8,000
people have signed the petition and we need many more signatures than
that
to make an impact on our Decision Makers. All British Citizens and
people
resident in Britain or her Territories abroad, can sign.
If you wish to add your name to this petition, go to URL
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/CensusInfoFreed/ and enter your details.
Don't
delay too long, the Petition closes on 08 March 2007.
Best wishes
Marion Woolgar
Bognor Regis, West Sussex