§ Mr. Andrew TurnerTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what proportion of the population were identified within(a) the Unionist tradition and (b) the Nationalist tradition in each local authority at the time of each census since 1961; [137718]
(2) what evidence he has collated of changes in the balance of communities between Unionist and Nationalist traditions (a) in each ward in the City of Belfast and (b) in each ward of the City of Londonderry, since 1997; and if he will make a statement on the causes of those changes. [137719]
§ Mr. PearsonThe Census of Population does not ask respondents about whether they consider themselves to be from a Unionist or Nationalist tradition. Accordingly the Census cannot provide the information requested. Information on Unionist and Nationalist identity is usually obtained from sample surveys. However the sample sizes are too small to allow robust estimation at local authority and ward level.