cycle tramp wrote:Again they would say that, they've asked for it. MI5 have probably requested too... i bet the really paranoid mps really love that, one massive sweep of everyone's information in one place.
I take it you don't use the internet then?
Having lived in two countries with a central register of residents I find it a bit quaint that the UK still does this census thing. In the Netherlands and Norway you are required to register usually at the local council. In Norway the data gets put into a database called the "Folkeregister" along with basic information about you such as your DOB, nationality and other family members living at the same address.
If you need proof of your address in Norway you order a certificate from the Folkeregister. It arrives in the post to your registered address. If you order a new bank card it will get sent to your registered address (well to your local Post office where you have to show ID to pick it up). Letters from the health authority regarding appointments get sent to your registered address. It makes a lot of things somewhat easier. Especially when you move.
Of course, the problem with a central register is that it won't give you any information about those people who are not registered. However, I doubt such people would willingly give their details to a census official in the UK, so a census won't get you that information either.
So long and thanks for all the fish...