Census Post-Back Exceeds 70 Per Cent Target

9th May 2001

More than 70 per cent of Scotland's Census forms have already been posted back by householders since Census Day ten days ago, according to figures compiled by field staff. As of midnight on Tuesday, 8 May, 1,654,864 forms had been received by Census staff, out of the 2,307,787 delivered. This represents an average of 72 per cent for the whole of Scotland.

Orkney and Shetland top the list of Council area returns, with 85 per cent and 87 per cent respectively. Angus, Scottish Borders and East Dunbartonshire are equal on 81 per cent, while Clackmannan and Aberdeenshire show an 80 per cent return rate. Variations in rates of returns over the past ten days show differences attributable to location, population and workload on Royal Mail, and the figures are only a snapshot as of midnight on 8 May.

The Registrar General for Scotland, John Randall, who is responsible for running the 2001 Census, commented: "Householders in Scotland must be congratulated for such a quick and positive response. It shows clearly that the great majority have taken very seriously their civic and legal duty to complete and return their Census forms.

"Although we expect the average of 72 per cent to continue to rise quickly, and we know Royal Mail are processing many thousands of forms each day, it does mean there are still possibly half a million people who have not yet responded. Therefore I urge anyone who has still to complete their form to do so immediately. Anyone who refuses to complete their form is leaving themselves open to the possibility of a fine of up to £1000.

"It is vital to local communities that all Census forms are returned as soon as possible to ensure they do not miss out on their proper share of finance for local services. Enumerators will be calling from today on householders to collect forms or to offer assistance," said Mr Randall.

Notes To Editors

Assistance is available to anyone who needs help to fill in their form, and they should call the Census Helpline on 0845 602 2001.
Anyone currently away from home on holiday or on business can complete and send back their form on their return.
Completion and return of Census forms is required by law and anyone refusing to do so runs the risk of being reported for non-compliance and if prosecuted and found guilty they could face a fine of up to £1000.
Full details of the returns, in local council areas, are available from Statistics Customer Services using our Contact Form.

Number and Percentage of Census Forms Returned

	Number of Forms Delivered as at 27 April 2001	Number of Forms Received (Post - Back & Collected) Up to 8 May 2001	Percentage of Forms Returned Up to 8 May 2001
Scotland	2,307,787	1,654,864	72
Council Areas
Aberdeen City	105,086	80,503	77
Aberdeenshire	96,714	77,736	80
Angus	50,045	40,445	81
Argyll & Bute	45,666	32,288	71
Clackmannanshire	21,370	17,158	80
Dumfries & Galloway	67,541	50,854	75
Dundee City	69,892	50,456	72
East Ayrshire	53,337	37,468	70
East Dunbartonshire	43,017	34,747	81
East Lothian	40,179	29,921	74
East Renfrewshire	36,003	25,265	70
Edinburgh, City of	214,563	143,498	67
Eilean Siar	12,906	9,958	77
Falkirk	63,507	49,580	78
Fife	157,927	113,284	72
Glasgow City	280,706	182,756	65
Highland	101,147	76,417	76
Inverclyde	37,309	24,742	66
Midlothian	34,870	25,451	73
Moray	38,589	28,922	75
North Ayrshire	63,260	45,767	72
North Lanarkshire	136,468	95,791	70
Orkney Islands	9,204	7,809	85
Perth & Kinross	62,310	49,459	79
Renfrewshire	79,100	41,257	52
Scottish Borders	51,440	41,782	81
Shetland Islands	9,892	8,593	87
South Ayrshire	51,317	37,250	73
South Lanarkshire	130,454	91,740	70
Stirling	36,722	26,073	71
West Dunbartonshire	42,256	29,095	69
West Lothian	64,990	48,799	75