Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what consultations he will be holding on the nature of the questions to be contained in the 1991 census of population; and when he expects this consultation to take place;
(2) whether he will consider including a question in the 1991 census of population in order to ascertain the number of Welsh-speakers living outside Wales.
§ Mrs. CurrieI refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Tatton (Mr. Hamilton) on 2 November 1987, at column573. Consultations on the content of the 1991 census are taking place currently. The arrangements are described in "Census Newsletter No. 2", a copy of which is in the Library.
A question in order to ascertain the number of Welsh-speakers living outside Wales is being considered, as are many other suggestions.
However, no decisions have yet been taken on the content of the census. Proposals will be published as a White Paper later this year.