Access to the 1921 Census

[Guy Etchells]

There is no legislation to allow the 1921 or any other census taken under the 1920 Census Act (as amended by the Census (Confidentiality) Act 1991) to ever be released.
It will be just as illegal to release the 1921 census in 2022 as it is today.

That is why it is important to take action now.
Cheers
Guy

[RobinC]

To be honest, that hasn't answered my question but has given an insight into why the censuses from 1920 onwards may never be released.

[Peter Goodey]

the censuses from 1920 onwards may never be released.

The government has stated that the 1921 census will be released under the non-statutory '100 year rule'.

[Colin Rowledge]

The government has stated that the 1921 census will be released under the non-statutory '100 year rule'.

Darn!!!

Another 9 years to wait --- I should live that long!

The American one for 1940 will be released April 2012.

Guess my folks were born and raised in the wrong place, eh?

[Guy Etchells]

Except that it is not the government who has made the statement about the census under the 1920 Act but the National Archives who often get legislation wrong.
The government simply repeated the policy that census would not be released for at least 100 years. But no minister who has contacted me (and I have many such letters and emails) can point to legislation that will allow any census taken under the 1920 Census Act (as amended) to ever be released.
All (including an Attorney General) have confirmed this will require new legislation.
Cheers
Guy

[RobinC]

Which leads back to my question of what has been done to indicate that the 1920 census (and each one after) will be released?

I'm aware of why the censuses might not be released.

[Jonesy]

There is an e-petition already in place, but has some way to go... http://
epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/13043

[Peter Goodey]

...this will require new legislation.

AIUI release of data simply requires "lawful authority". Lawful authority can mean many things and certainly doesn't necessarily imply primary legislation. As SI would probably do the trick but I dare say that would be overkill.

[Colin Rowledge]

For my various families so much appeared to have happened between 1911 and 1921 that the lack of knowlege is becoming a monumental headache. If I am fortunate to live until 2021 [aged 77 tben] I may be past caring.

If the 1940 American one is available, why cant us x-pats see what happened to our families?

Colin