Whether there will be an opportunity for the Parliament and interested agencies and individuals to suggest amendments to the draft Census O…

Interested agencies and individuals have had the opportunity to comment on the UK Government proposals for the 2001 Census, issued in March 1999, in a White Paper (Cm 4253 The 2001 Census of Population). Scottish Ministers have taken account of the proposals set out in the White Paper and comments received since its publication in deciding what topics to propose in the draft Census Order in Council, which has laid before the Scottish Parliament on 10 January.Parts of the draft Order are subject to affirmative resolution and the remainder is subject to negative resolution procedures. Paragraphs 1 to 5 of the Schedule to the Census Act 1920 list certain matters about which particulars may be required and which are subject to negative resolution. However, where the draft Order relates to particulars which fall within paragraph 6 of the Schedule to the Census Act 1920, that is, "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" then those particulars are subject to affirmative resolution.The Census Act 1920 contains provision allowing for those parts of the draft Order subject to affirmative resolution to be modified with the agreement of the Parliament.The draft Order will be considered by the Subordinate Legislation Committee and by the lead committee designated by the Parliament. The Subordinate Legislation Committee will report to the lead committee within 20 days of the draft Order being laid. The lead committee is required to report to Parliament no later than 40 days after the draft Order has been laid. The lead committee will set out its recommendations in its report, taking into account any recommendations made by any other committee. If the lead committee recommends that the draft Order be approved with or without modifications, the Parliamentary Bureau shall by motion propose that the Parliament so approve the draft Order.