Annual Canvass of Electors - Part 2

[askit]

Bernardo has kindly answered about the origin of the Canvass.

Can anyone tell me when the form became compulsory (a �1,000 fine for failure to complete).

[kempie]

I believe it is The Census Act 1920 - link - which first mandated a possible fine for non-completion of the form.

ps the current level of penalty is any amount up to �1000.

[kempie]

My link didn't work... ho hum.

http://www.statistics.gov.uk/census2001/pdfs/censusact1920.pdf

[bernardo]

The link above seems to refer to the compilation of the decennial census, not the annual register of electors.  I think that it has always been compulsory, but I am not sure.