Thursday, 15 March 2001

The Commissioner for Census and Statistics, Mr Frederick Ho, called for public co-operation and support of the 2001 Population Census. He assured members of the public that data collected regarding individual persons and households would be kept strictly confidential.

"Before our census officers start their work today, all of them have completed a declaration not to disclose to any unauthorised person any information that they have become aware of in the course of their duty," said Mr Ho. Earlier in the day, census officers made the declaration at brief set-off ceremonies held in the 70 field centres, one of which being officiated at by the Commissioner personally and attended by some 250 census officers - Tin Hau.

The census officers can be easily recognised as they each wear a grey vest with a Census badge, carry a red satchel with the Census logo and a Census Officer Certificate of Identity that is available for inspection. Householders have been individually informed of the name of the visiting census officer in a householder letter sent earlier. When in doubt, they may call the Census Enquiries Hotline at 2926 6688.