Question reference: S1W-00106
- Asked by: Johann Lamont, MSP for Glasgow Pollok, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 16 June 1999
-
Current status: Answered by Jim Wallace on 30 July 1999
Question
To ask the Scottish Executive to outline the differences between the proposed census in Scotland and in the rest of the U.K and to explain why there are such differences.
Answer
The UK Government published its proposals for the 2001 Census of Population in a White Paper (Cm 4253) on 4 March 1999. Full details of the questions proposed for the different parts of the UK are contained in the White Paper, a copy of which is in the Scottish Parliament Library.
The main areas where the proposed questions for Scotland differ from those in other parts of the UK are the inclusion of questions on whether rented accommodation is furnished or unfurnished, knowledge of Scottish Gaelic, and address of and means of travel to place of study; and the exclusion of a question on religion. There are also a number of topics which are proposed to be covered in all parts of the UK but where the form of the question proposed is different.
The proposed questions follow extensive consultation with Census users. Differences reflect the circumstances of different parts of the UK and the priorities of Census users.Final decisions on which questions to be included in the Census in Scotland will be for the Scottish Parliament. The Scottish Executive will review the proposals, taking account of comments made following the White Paper. They will then bring forward proposals in a draft Census Order for Scotland for approval by the Scottish Parliament.