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Census and Statistics Bill, 2006 (H.B. 12, 2006) - Amended March 1, 2007
Published in Government Gazette: October 27, 2006
Amended March 1, 2007

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This document shows the Bill as amended by the House of Assembly, and transmitted to the Senate on 1st March 2007. The amendments were to the long title, clause 2, title to Part II, clause 3, title to Part III, and clause 7. Deleted text is shown in square brackets and [strikethrough font], inserted text in bold and underlined font.

View the original Census and Statistics Bill, gazetted 27 October, 2006

Census and Statistics Bill, 2006

MEMORANDUM

The purpose of this Bill is to establish a Statistics Agency which will provide an integrated statistical service system; provide for the qualitative development and management of official statistics; provide for the setting up of professional standards and ethics to be endeared to by organisations that produce statistics for public information in Zimbabwe; and to provide for matters incidental to or connected with the above.

The individual clauses of the Bill are explained below:

Part I
Clause 1
This clause sets out the Bill's short title while clause 2 sets out the definition of terms used in the Bill.

Part II
Clause 3 provides for the establishment of the National Statistics Agency while clauses 4 and 5 provide for the functions and powers of the Agency. Clause 6 provides that the Agency is required to make annual reports or such other reports as may be required by Act of Parliament, to the Minister who may lay such reports before Parliament.

Part III
Clauses 7 and 8 provide for the Board of the Agency. Clause 9 provides for the appointment and mandate of the Director-General of the Agency who shall also be the secretary to the Board while clause 10 provides for the appointment of staff of the Agency by the Board. Clause 11 provides that the Minister may give policy directions to the Board.

Part IV
Clause 12 makes provisions for the carrying out of a census while clause 13 provides for the collection of statistics. Clause 14 permits the use of sampling methods in taking a census or collecting statistics. This is a method of collecting data where results of a particular group of people are representative of a certain class of people. Clause 15 makes provisions for guidelines on censuses and surveys by other persons. Clause 16 empowers authorised officers taking a census or survey to collect certain particulars as may be prescribed, from individuals. Clause 17 restricts the disclosure of information acquired in the course of a census or survey, to certain prescribed instances. Clause 18 provides that an authorised officer may for the purposes of taking a census or collecting statistics and upon production of written appointment, enter upon any premises. Clause 19 provides for the dissemination of statistical data.

Part V
Clause 20 provides for what constitute funds of the Agency. Clause 21 provides for the keeping of books of accounts.

Part VI
Clause 22 provides for penalties in respect of false statements made in supplying any statistical data. Clause 23 exempts the Agency from any liability incurred in the bona fide discharge of its duties. Clause 24 provides for the making of regulations in terms of this Act while clauses 25 and 26 make repeals, savings and provide for the transfer of assets and liabilities of the State which were connected with the Central Statistical Office under the repealed Act, to the Agency.

Schedule
The First Schedule provides for the powers of the Agency while the Second Schedule makes general provisions applicable to the operations of the Board.

Census and Statistics Bill, 2006

Arrangement of Sections

PART I
PRELIMINARY
1. Short title and date of commencement.
2. Interpretation.

PART II
NATIONAL STATISTICS AGENCY
3. Establishment of National Statistics Agency.
4. Functions of Agency.
5. Powers of Agency.
6. Reports of Agency.

PART III
ESTABLISHMENT AND CONSTITUTION OF NATIONAL STATISTICS AGENCY BOARD
7. National Statistics Agency Board.
8. Special responsibilities of Board.
9. Director-General.
10. Staff of Agency.
11. Minister may give Board directions on matters of policy.

PART IV
CENSUS AND STATISTICS
12. Census.
13. Statistical surveys.
14. Use of sampling methods.
15. Censuses and statistical surveys by other persons.
16. Power to obtain particulars.
17. Restrictions on disclosure of information.
18. Powers of entry.
19. Dissemination of statistical data.

PART V
FINANCIAL PROVISIONS
20. Funds of Agency.
21. Accounts and audit.

PART VI
GENERAL
22. False statements.
23. Exemption from liability for Agency.
24. Regulations.
25. Repeal of Cap. 10:05 and savings.
26. Transfer of certain assets and obligations of State to Agency.

FIRST SCHEDULE: Powers of Agency.
SECOND SCHEDULE: Provisions applicable to the Board.

PRESENTED BY THE MINISTER OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

BILL

To provide for the establishment of the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency which will replace the Central Statistical Office; to provide for the collection and processing of statistics; to repeal the Census and Statistics Act [Chapter 10:05]; and to provide for matters incidental to or connected with the foregoing.

ENACTED by the President and the Parliament of Zimbabwe.

PART I
PRELIMINARY

1 Short title and date of commencement
(1) This Act may be cited as the Census and Statistics Act [Chapter 10:29].
(2) This Act shall come into operation on a date to be fixed by the President by statutory instrument.

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