§ Fiona MactaggartTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what research he has undertaken on the likelihood of(a) those with insecure immigration status and (b) those in breach of immigration control of complying with the requirements of the Census. [156225]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonThe information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
Letter from John Pullinger to Fiona Mactaggart, dated 3 April 2001:
The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question asking what research has been undertaken on the likelihood of those with insecure immigration status and those in breach of immigration control complying with the requirements of the Census. I am replying in his absence (156225).We have not conducted specific research into this issue. Our approach to ensure returns of census information in respect of such individuals who meet the residence criteria has been twofold. First, 153W we have put in place special arrangements to enumerate those resident in communal establishments, including hotels, hostels, camps and immigration detention centres.Second, we have sought advice and information from local authorities with regards to the numbers and general location of such individuals living in the community. Through our community liaison programme we have sought to promote both the importance and confidentiality of the Census process. The fruits of each of these initiatives have been built into the guidance and procedures for enumerators in order to ensure compliance with Census requirements.
§ Fiona MactaggartTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action he has taken to encourage compliance with the Census by people from ethnic minorities. [156226]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonThe information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
Letter from John Pullinger to Fiona Mactaggart, dated 3 April 2001:
The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question asking what action has been undertaken to encourage compliance with the Census by people from ethnic minorities. I am replying in his absence (156226).The overall publicity campaign for the 2001 Census will establish the awareness of the Census across the population as a whole, and the banner logo 'Count Me In' aims to encourage universal self-inclusion in the Census. However, the full range of ethnic newspapers will be used to advertise the Census to ethnic minorities and publicity material has been placed in a wide range of community-based publications and centres of activity.Customised press notices associated with all the main PR events will be disseminated to all ethnic minority media outlets. For our Recruitment Blitz the press notice directed at ethnic minority media carried a supporting quote from Civil Service Commissioner Karamjit Singh CBE, and we specifically targeted metropolitan areas at 14 sites around the country where there would be good links with local TV and radio as well as a high concentration of ethnic minority populations. Our partnership with BBC Local Radio extends to the BBC's Asian Language Network, which has already run a number of Census promotions.The Census questions and the information leaflet have been translated into 24 commonly used foreign languages and will be available from April 1, as will the dedicated Language Helpline which can offer help in 12 languages. In addition, an ethnic version of the promotional video has been produced using an Asian celebrity, which we hope to place on Asian cable TV.A new initiative for the 2001 Census is the Community Liaison Programme in which the ONS is working in partnership with minority groups, including ethnic communities in order to encourage participation in the Census and to help identify sources of field staff. A significant number of local community members are playing an active part in the census operation as members of the field staff and also by supplying local intelligence that will benefit the Census. The wide range of links established with local communities has helped with the recruitment of the local field force where our aim has been to reflect the make-up of these communities. As well as appointing Enumerators who speak other languages and who understand the needs of local communities, interpreters will be used where necessary.