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The 2011 census is set to include a compulsory question about civil partnerships as well as asking for explicit details concerning overnight guests, raising concerns that it could forcibly out people.

A spokesperson from the Office of National Statistics confirmed that the civil partnership question was mandatory and must be answered honestly.

Further controversy arose when it was revealed that the census, due to take place on 27 March 2011, will ask for details on any current guests’ “connection to the household”.

In previous years, the only information required on overnight guests was their name and address.

Described as “invasive and intrusive” by Nick Hurd, Shadow Minister for the Cabinet, the census will also ask questions about the number of bedrooms in every house.

Failure to complete the census or to enter false information for whatever reason may result in prosecution, although questions concerning religion are optional.

Respondents will not, however, be asked whether they are straight, gay, lesbian or bisexual. Stephen Williams, the first openly gay Liberal Democrat MP, had previously called for a question on sexual orientation to be included but - although it was on a list of possible questions published on 2005 - a 2008 draft of the census advised against it.

Angela Smith, Cabinet Office Minister, described the census as “devised to produce reliable and accurate data” about the British population.

The census questions have not been formally approved by MPs, but will go before Parliament next year.

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