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The Census and Statistics (2011 Population Census) Order was published in the Gazette today (November 19) to enable the conduct of a population census from June 30 to August 2, 2011.
The Order was made by the Chief Executive in Council under Section 9 of the Census and Statistics Ordinance (Cap.316). The Order specifies the dates for taking the 2011 Population Census, the purpose of the population census, the persons and premises in respect of which particulars are to be obtained, the persons who are required to give requisite information, and the dates for destroying the completed questionnaires. A schedule specifying the matters in respect of which particulars are to be provided by the respondents is also included in the Order.
A government spokesman said: "Population censuses have been conducted in Hong Kong in 10-year intervals since 1961. The Census & Statistics Department (C&SD) will conduct the next population census between June 30 and August 2, 2011 to obtain up-to-date benchmark information on the socio-economic characteristics of the population and on its geographical distribution. The data obtained will provide key inputs to the Government for planning and policy formulation, as well as to the private sector for business planning."
C&SD will make further publicity on the detailed arrangement for the 2011 Population Census after the completion of the legislative procedure for commencement of the Order.
The Census will comprise an enquiry on the detailed socio-economic characteristics of one-tenth of the households in Hong Kong and a simple enumeration of the remaining households.
A new multi-modal data collection approach will be used in the Census, under which data collection process will be divided into two phases. In the first phase, households are encouraged to choose self-enumeration mode through completion of an e-questionnaire online or by postal return (applicable to simple enumeration only). For the remaining households not choosing self-enumeration, C&SD will arrange census officers to conduct face-to-face interview in the second phase, which will commence around mid July 2011.
"Strict procedures will be implemented to ensure that all data collected during the Census on individual persons and households will be handled in strict confidence for privacy protection," the spokesman added. All completed questionnaires will be destroyed by or before June 29, 2012.
The Order will be tabled at the Legislative Council for negative vetting on November 24 this year.
Ends/Friday, November 19, 2010
Issued at HKT 12:25
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