Tuesday, March 27, 2001

He expressed sincere thanks to all those who participated dedicatedly in the operation including the 22 000 temporary field workers and staff of the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD). "Support from parents and schools has also contributed to the smooth operation of the Census," he added.

On the last day of operation, the Commissioner visited a field centre in Tsuen Wan this morning to talk to frontline census officers there. He reiterated to them that all information on individual person and household they came across during the Census should not be disclosed to any other persons.

"The census officers all realise that the community has high expectations towards their performance. They have been working very hard and enthusiastically to fulfil their task. Most of them have found the operation a very worthwhile experience that serves to broaden their perspective, deepen their understanding of the community and enhance their interpersonal skills," said Mr Ho.

"For households that we have not been able to contact despite repeated attempts during the 13-day Census period, our census officers are visiting them again today to deposit a self-administered questionnaire," the Commissioner said. Householders concerned are requested to complete and return these questionnaires in the self-addressed envelope to the C&SD on or before April 10, 2001.

Noting that the hotline centre has answered over 150,000 public enquiries since March 9, Mr Ho pointed out that the hotline enquiry service (tel. no. 2926 6688) would remain in operation until May. Outside office hours, a message recording service would be available.

In the coming few months, the C&SD will proceed with the data processing work. Mr Ho reiterated that all data pertaining to individual person and individual household collected during the Census operation would be treated in strict confidence and would solely be used for statistical purposes. Besides, all completed questionnaires would be destroyed within one year.