§ Mr. Marlowasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the numbers and proportions of births by ethnic origin for each of the last four years, divided into the smallest periods for which such statistics are available.
§ Sir George YoungI have been asked to reply.
Information on ethnic origin is not collected at birth registration. Statistics are, however, available of the numbers of births analysed by the countries of birth of the mother and father. But births to parents who themselves were born overseas include some of British origin and descent; and births to parents themselves born in the United Kingdom include some not of British origin and descent.
Detailed annual figures of births according to countries of birth of the mother and father, together with a summary according to the birthplace of the mother alone, are routinely published in OPCS Monitor FM1, copies of which for the period 1975 and 1978 have been sent to my hon. Friend. A summary of figures of births according to the birthplace of the mother for half years is being prepared and will be circulated in the Official Report as soon as possible.