Minister defends census results date

'No delay' in survey, due out in March

The results of the latest Island-wide census will be published almost a year after it was carried out.

Policy and Reform Minister Chris Thomas told Tynwald today (17 Jan) the results will be put to the Court in March - and denied there had been a delay. 

But his predecessor in the role Chris Robertshaw said the process was too slow, leaving government without population figures crucial for "cost-efficient" planning.

Mr Thomas said the time frame was dictated by the need to follow-up omissions and errors, and for extensive coding of data.

He confirmed all questions on the five-yearly census form will be reviewed, after some residents objected they could not specify their nationality as Manx.

The minister insisted government is basing decisions on up-to-date information: