Census Act 1920


The Census Act 1920 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Providing for a census for Great Britain, on a date to be fixed by Order in Council, it remains the primary legislation for the provision of the UK census in England, Scotland, and Wales. A minimum of five years is required between censuses.

Parts of the Act

  1. Power to direct taking of census.
  2. Duty of Registrar-General to carry out census, and provision for expenses.
  3. Regulations with respect to proceedings for taking census.
  4. Preparation of reports and abstracts.
  5. Preparation of statistics in respect of periods between one census and another.
  6. Provision with respect to local census.
  7. Expenses of local authorities.
  8. Penalties.
  9. Application to Scotland.
  10. Short title and extent.

    Schedule

The Schedule to the Act lists the 'Matters in respect of which particulars may be required'. They are:
  1. Names, sex, age.
  2. Occupation, profession, trade or employment.
  3. Nationality, birthplace, race, language.
  4. Place of abode and character of dwelling.
  5. Condition as to marriage, relation to head of family, issue born in marriage.
  6. Any other matters with respect to which it is desirable to obtain statistical information with a view to ascertaining the social or civil condition of the population.
Religion was added at 5A in the Schedule by the Census Act 2000 in England and Wales, and the Census Act 2000 in Scotland. The 2000 amendment also added a clause in Section 8 of the 1920 Act to make the provision of religion optional: