Written question asked by Gareth Thomas (Clwyd West) (Labour) on Thursday, 7 December 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 18 December 2000. It was answered by Lord Murphy of Torfaen (Labour) on Monday, 18 December 2000 on behalf of the Wales Office.

Office of the Secretary of State for Wales

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what discussions he has had with the First Secretary of the National Assembly for Wales on the proposed census form for Wales.

Answer: Mr. Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the First Secretary of the National Assembly for Wales on the proposed census form for Wales. [142380] Mr. Paul Murphy: I have regular discussions with the First Secretary about a range of issues, including the 2001 census. As the census informs billions of pounds of spending in Wales, whether through the Welsh Block grant, allocations to police or fire services, or overall measures of economic performance and thus economic aid, we have discussed how any disruption of the census, either through non co-operation or eleventh hour changes to its format, runs the risk of losing precious resources for Wales.

Secondary information