A quick tally of census concerns

There are a number of letters in The Guardian today that inform some of the things I've been putting in the blog about the Census. Here are the two I consider most relevant - all the more interesting because of their apparently contradictory nature:

In your article (Will it be the return of the Jedi?, G2, 10 March), I want to clarify a point on confidentiality. No personal census information has been or will be provided to EU member states or EU institutions - only statistical tables and counts. No approved researchers will be able to see names or addresses or anything that might identify any person. A recently published independent review of census data security says: "The public can be assured that the information they provide to the 2011 Census will be well protected and securely managed." The Office of National Statistics takes the security and confidentiality of personal census information extremely seriously.

Glen Watson
Census director, 2011 Census, ONS

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The cost of the Census is estimated at £482m and the US company, Lockheed Martin, is being given £150m to run it. All American companies are subject to the Patriot Act, which allows the government to have access to all data held. This could mean that the US government could hold access to all the detailed, personal data on any of us who complete their forms. This should be of great concern to us all.

Ann Bellingham
Newbridge, Cornwall