Destruction / Decommissioning

This page was published for Scotland's Census rehearsal in spring 2009. Its details will be updated when the 2011 Census questionnaire has been finalised.

Destruction / Decommissioning

Secure arrangements to protect personal details are the foundation for Scotland’s Census and the rehearsal.

When paper rehearsal questionnaires have been processed, the General Register Office for Scotland (GROS) will keep the information safe until the papers can be securely disposed of.

Online rehearsal returns are protected by robust security arrangements. Once data has been evaluated, GROS will ensure the secure erasure and / or destruction of all data storage equipment used during the online completion. This process will be independently witnessed and audited to ensure the security requirements meet UK government security standards. This will ensure no personal information can be retrieved.

We are keen to ensure the environmental impact of the census is kept to a minimum. Printed products such as questionnaires and envelopes will, where practicable, be produced using recycled or recyclable materials.