asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the British Government proposes to include in the 1991 census a question on ethnic origin; that representatives of the Irish community in Britain have requested that Irish be included as a separate distinct ethnic category in the census form; that the British Commission for Racial Equality supports the case put forward by the Irish community; if he or the Government have raised this matter with the British authorities; if not, if he will have the matter raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - British 1991 Census.
70.
The question on ethnicity that will feature in the 1991 British census has evolved from tests carried out before the 1981 census and more recently in a series of tests carried out in 1985 and 1986. While the exact wording of the question on ethnic origin has not yet become law it is likely to seek ethnic breakdown among the following categories: White, Black Caribbean, Black African, Black Other, Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Chinese and Any Other Ethnic Group. It is not envisaged that any further breakdown of the "White" category will be sought in the census or that "Irish" should feature on the census form as a separate category. The census will, however, continue to include a question on country of birth.
The Government are aware of the fact that a number of Irish groups in Britain as well as the British Commission for Racial Equality have supported the inclusion of "Irish" as a separate category in the ethnic question in the census. The Government are aware also that there are differing views within the Irish community on this issue.
We understand that the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys, with whom the embassy in London has been in contact, have had a number of representations on this matters from among the Irish community in Britain but that they have since confirmed that the relevant regulations, which will issue shortly, will not specify "Irish" as one of the categories in the ethnic group question. They have, however, indicated, in response to these representations, that it may be possible to develop this matter further after the 1991 census. They have also drawn attention to the potential value of the country of birth information which will continue, as previously, to be sought in the census.
Our embassy in London will maintain contact with the Federation of Irish Societies and with other Irish groups in Britain on this issue.