§ Sir JOHN ROLLESTONasked the President of the Local Government Board whether he will give instructions to the officials conducting the approaching decennial Census to obtain, amongst other particulars, the religious denomination of the population?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. Herbert Lewis)The Census Bill does not provide for the taking of a religious census, and, as I am desirous of avoiding all points of controversy, I do not propose that it should.
§ Mr. CHARLES M'ARTHURIs it not a fact that as regards the Irish Census that this information is to be given?
§ Mr. HERBERT LEWISAs regards Great Britain there never has been a religious inquiry in the Census. The Government are following the precedents of 1890 and 1900.