Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Lord Avebury (Liberal Democrat). It was answered on Wednesday, 16 July 2008.

Gypsies and Travellers: 2011 Census

Question: My Lords, I was pleased to hear the Minister’s confirmation of the statement made by Mr Ian Wright on 22 May about the inclusion of a tick-box for Gypsies and Travellers. Does the Minister agree that at the census content workshop in March, representatives of the Gypsies and Travellers, and of the CRE, were unanimous in asking for two separate categories to be included; namely, Gypsy and Irish Traveller? The only reason given by the ONS for not doing so was lack of space on the form. Will the Minister ask the ONS to divide the available space into two, using a smaller typeface if necessary, so that the two separate categories can be accommodated and local authorities will have the data that they need for their local development frameworks, in which Gypsies and Travellers have to be provided with separate land?

Answer: My Lords, the House will recognise that space on the form is of great value, given the multitude of demands for information that the census alone can provide. That is why the decision was made to include one tick-box and not two, although I hear what the noble Lord says about his dissatisfaction with that. However, it is recognised that the addition of this category will help public policy in future and, on the whole, Gypsies and Travellers have welcomed this contention.

Secondary information