Did census fall on deaf ears?

ONE aspect of the census and the lower than expected responses which has not been highlighted is the fact that some of the questions in the census require subjective, rather than objective answers.

I took on the responsibility for completing the census and, as far as I am aware, correctly completed the sections which I could answer. I then had to answer the same questions regarding my wife. Rather than assume that I knew the answers I checked with her regarding the correct response. Much to my surprise she indicated that I should indicate that she had partial hearing loss. When I told her that I had answered that I did not have a hearing loss she suggested that I might be subject to a fine for having incorrectly answered a question in the census.

In my defence I can point out that if I drop a pound coin on the floor I hear the noise of the coin hitting the ground and that failure to hear instructions, in my view, constitutes a lack of interest in the conversation, whereas my wife attributes this to deafness.

Sandy Gemmill,

Edinburgh.