ENG-1971 — Page 298

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POPULATION

students. To ensure a high degree of uniformity in the census data collected, considerable emphasis was placed on training and standardisation of instruction. Before the census, all field staff took an oath not to divulge census information improperly and a specially designed census identity card was issued to each of them.

Several innovations were introduced for the census. For the first time in Hong Kong a computer was used with a document reader to speed up production of the results. To economise on staff and time the enumerators took with them the forms which were to be used in finally recording the census data. The forms were completed by the enumerators and read directly by the com- puter without transcription.

The department also conducted a Census of Manufacturing Establishments from July 26 to August 29, 1971. During the five- week period, teams of specially trained enumerators visited about 30,000 manufacturing establishments to obtain information on such subjects as type of ownership, number of workers employed, principal products, value of sales and work done for export and local consumption. The census was the first of its kind in Hong Kong and produced useful information and basic data on the structure of this important sector of the Colony's economy.

Besides censuses, the department collects, compiles and analyses the Colony's trade statistics; calculates the Consumer Price Index; conducts surveys and research of various kinds; and supplies statistical information to commercial concerns and international organisations. It also maintains frequent contacts with other statistical organisations, institutions of higher learning and with the specialised agencies of the United Nations.

BIRTHS AND DEATHS

The registration of births and deaths is compulsory, and facilities for registration are provided throughout the Colony. The General Register Office is in Li Po Chun Chambers, Connaught Road Central, Victoria, where all records of births and deaths are maintained. Sub-registries have been established in all main urban and rural districts, while in outlying areas and islands, births are registered at rural committee offices by visiting district registrars and deaths are registered at local police stations.

The statutory period during which a birth should be registered, and is registered without fee, is 42 days from the date of birth. Between the end of the 42-day period and the expiration of one