§ Mr. GrieveTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the Government's estimate is of the size of the Sikh community in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) England and Wales. [63613]
§ Beverley Hughes[holding answer 21 June 2002]: At present, there are no accurate data available on the size of the Sikh community in either the United Kingdom or England and Wales. Current estimates for the United Kingdom Sikh population range from 350,000 to 500,000.
Next February we hope to have a clearer picture. Demographic data about Sikhs in the United Kingdom—and specifically England and Wales—will be available for the first time from the results of the religious identity question in the 2001 Census.
However, the Labour Force Survey is also introducing a question on religion this spring. The results will be evaluated and, if possible, released towards the end of the year.
§ Mr. GrieveTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Sikhs are employed in his Department. [63607]
§ Beverley Hughes[holding answer 21 June 2002]: The Home Office keeps ethnicity data on its employees using the 2001 Census categories of ethnic groups. Information is not currently kept on the religious beliefs or affiliations of employees.