The Census Order 1990

Persons by whom the returns are to be made

5.—(1) Where a dwelling or part of a dwelling to which column (1) of Group I applies is occupied by a private household consisting of one person, that person shall make a return with respect to himself and with respect to every other person specified in column (2) of Group I.

(2) Where a dwelling or part of a dwelling to which column (1) of Group I applies is occupied by a private household consisting of more than one person:–

(a) the head or joint heads, or the person or persons for the time being acting as head or joint heads of that household, or

(b) if there is no head or acting head of that household, and if there are no joint heads or acting joint heads of that household, the members of that household who are aged 16 years or over,

shall make a return with respect to every person specified in column (2) of Group I, except that the obligation to make the return shall be satisfied in respect of the joint heads or acting joint heads of the household, or, as the case may be, the members of the household aged 16 years or over if any one of their number completes such a return on their behalf.

(3) Any person with respect to whom a return falls to be made in accordance with paragraph (1) or (2) who:–

(a) is aged 16 years or over on census day, and

(b) is himself capable of completing the form of return,

may elect to make an individual return, and any person who makes such an election shall make a return with respect to himself.

(4) Every person specified in column (2) of Groups II, III, IV, V and, subject to paragraph (5), Group VI shall make a return with respect to himself, but where any such person is, for any reason, incapable of making a return:–

(a) if he is a person specified in column (2) of Group II, the manager or other person for the time being in charge of the hotel or boarding-house shall make a return with respect to that person or may arrange for the return to be made by a relative or other person accompanying that person;

(b) if he is a person specified in column (2) of Group III, the return shall be made with respect to him by the chief resident officer or other person for the time being in charge of the premises;

(c) if he is a person specified in column (2) of Group IV, the return shall be made with respect to him by the commanding officer or other person for the time being in charge of the premises or vessel;

(d) if he is a person specified in column (2) of Group V, the return shall be made with respect to him by the captain or master or other person for the time being in charge of the vessel;

(e) if he is a person specified in column (2) of Group VI, the return may be made with respect to him by any other person capable of doing so on his behalf.

(5) As regards a person specified in column (2) of Group VI who is of no fixed abode, the return referred to in paragraph (4) may be made with respect to him by any other person authorised by him to do so on his behalf.

(6) In the case of any premises or vessel specified in Group II, III or V, the manager, chief resident officer or other person for the time being in charge of the premises or the captain, master or other person for the time being in charge of the vessel and in the case of any premises or vessel specified in Group IV the commanding officer or other person for the time being in charge of the premises or vessel, shall make a return in accordance with Article 6(3).