Census (Hansard, 15 June 2000)

§ Miss Melanie Johnson

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Director of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to reply.

Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Tony Colman, dated 15 June 2000: As the Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS) I have been asked to reply to recent question asking if a decision has been made to include a religious identity question in the 2001 Census. A Bill to amend the Census Act 1920 to provide for particulars with respect to religion to be asked for in a census in England and Wales was approved in the House of Lords, on 28 March. In the course of its passage through the Lords, the Bill was amended to make any question on religion voluntary. After its passage through the Lords the Bill has hitherto failed to get an unopposed Second Reading in the House of Commons. The Government recognises the strength of the case for information on religion to be collected in the Census. The question will enhance data obtained from the ethnic group question and contribute to the Census providing data to help address the concerns and needs of all sections of the community. In the light of this, the Government has agreed to provide time within its own legislative programme to progress the Bill through its remaining stages. It will do all that it can so that the Census Act may be amended in time to allow the proposed religious question to be included in the 2001 Census in England and Wales. Subject to the Bill obtaining Royal Assent, the Government proposes to lay before both Houses of Parliament the necessary amendment to the Census Order providing for the question on religion to be asked in the 2001 Census in England and Wales. The Scottish Parliament has already approved legislation to amend the Act in Scotland where the Census is a devolved matter. Legislation in Northern Ireland already allows for a question in respect of religion to be asked in the Census.