revealed yesterday.

Census-takers are to target around 400 homes at the end of this month to test out questionnaires and computer systems prior to the first census in a decade, due to be carried out next year at a cost of around $1.6 million.

And Finance Minister Eugene Cox said the census would be important in dealing with hot issues like the housing shortage in the years to come.

He said: "The results of the census pre-test will assist in determining whether the questions for the census proper are worded in the best way and placed in an appropriate order.

"Additionally, the data collected in the test will be used to test the computer data processing system that will be employed in the actual census next year.'' Chief Statistician Janet Smith Bradshaw added: "We want to find out how sensitive any of the questions might be -- and we want to use the data to test our processing program.'' And Mr. Cox urged the people of Bermuda to co-operate with the small dry run and the major survey, which will be carried out in May next year.

Mr. Cox said: "The census is the most important study of this kind that we do.

"It involves collecting, compiling, evaluating analysing and publishing demographic, social and economic data about Bermuda's people and how they are housed.'' And he added the information collected was vital to planning for the future welfare of the Island.

Mr. Cox said: "Without this kind of data we could not make sensible decisions about economic and social development at all.

"Housing data will furnish information on Bermuda's supply of dwelling units by their physical characteristics and facilities pertinent to the maintenance of privacy and health and to the development of normal family living conditions.

"The census permits analysis of factors which contribute to housing inadequacies and allows the Government to determine what our options are for corrective action.'' He added: "It's important that everyone responds and responds accurately.

"There's no sense in having data to make decisions and finding out the data is inaccurate.'' The census -- drawn up along UN guidelines -- includes employment, income, education, health, housing, travel-to-work method, childbirth and, for the first time, childcare arrangements for working parents.

Mrs. Smith Bradshaw admitted some people might be uncomfortable with some of the questions -- but said reaction was different from person to person.

She said: "The last time we introduced income for the first time and that was considered to be sensitive but it worked very well.

"Some people are sensitive about their income, others sensitive about their age -- it does vary.'' The $20,000 mini-census, which will assess 400 households out of a random spread of 700 to ensure the full number is reached, will take place between August 31 and September 30.

Mr. Cox said census-takers will be equipped with ID cards -- and urged anyone with any doubts to insist on seeing the cards.

And he added that anyone with dogs should keep them under control during the period census-takers are hitting the doorsteps.