The Census (England) Regulations 2010

Return of questionnaires from households and electors

10.—(1) Every prescribed person to whom a household pack has been delivered or on whose behalf delivery was taken under these Regulations must, on the day after census day or as soon after as is reasonably practicable—

(a) complete the copy of questionnaire H1 included in the pack, place it in the reply-paid envelope provided and send the questionnaire to the Authority by post; or

(b) return the information requested by questionnaire H1 electronically using such an electronic system as the Authority may provide for this purpose and in accordance with the instructions included in the accompanying pack.

(2) Every elector to whom a reply-paid individual pack has been delivered or on whose behalf delivery was taken under these Regulations may, on the day after census day or as soon after as is reasonably practicable—

(a) complete the copy of questionnaire I1 included in the pack, place it in the reply-paid envelope provided and send the questionnaire to the Authority by post; or

(b) return the information requested by questionnaire I1 electronically using such an electronic system as the Authority may provide for this purpose and in accordance with any additional information included in the accompanying pack.

(3) As soon as possible after each completed questionnaire I1 or H1 has been received by the Authority, the Authority must make a record in the questionnaire tracking system to show that the relevant questionnaire has been returned.

(4) When a completed questionnaire I1 or H1 has been received by the Authority electronically, the Authority must ensure that a confirmation of receipt is sent electronically to the person returning the questionnaire.

(5) Where an appointee is satisfied, having spoken with a prescribed person for the purposes of articles 5(1) or (3) of the Census Order, that the prescribed person in question—

(a) is incapable of completing and returning a questionnaire; and

(b) is unable to authorise any person to act on their behalf,

then the appointee may, in accordance with instructions issued by the Authority, make enquiries about the particulars which that prescribed person would be required by the Census Order to provide and record the answers to those enquiries which may be used for the purpose of the census.

(6) As soon as possible after an appointee makes a record in accordance with paragraph (5), the Authority must make a record in the questionnaire tracking system to show that a record under paragraph (5) has been made in respect of that prescribed person.