Current status: Answered by Nicol Stephen on 25 July 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is appropriate to mix ethnic origin and nationality classifications in the School Census September 2002.
The categories to be used for the collection of ethnicity information in the September 2002 School Census were selected to match closely those used in the 2001 Census of Population, to ensure consistency and comparability across different data sources. A question on national identity was also included to give respondents the opportunity to express their national identity as well as their ethnic background.The national identity and ethnic background categories used in the School Census are subject to review to ensure that they remain relevant and well understood. This will ensure that on-going work at a national level on equality and inclusion issues is reflected in future censuses.