Written question asked by Andrew Turner (Conservative) on Wednesday, 5 November 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 12 November 2003. It was answered by Ian Pearson (Labour) on Wednesday, 12 November 2003 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Northern Ireland Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what proportion of the population were identified within (a) the Unionist tradition and (b) the Nationalist tradition in each local authority at the time of each census since 1961; what evidence he has collated of changes in the balance of communities between Unionist and Nationalist traditions (a) in each ward in the City of Belfast and (b) in each ward of the City of Londonderry, since 1997; and if he will make a statement on the causes of those changes. - No figures given.

Answer: Mr. Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what proportion of the population were identified within (a) the Unionist tradition and (b) the Nationalist tradition in each local authority at the time of each census since 1961; [137718] (2) what evidence he has collated of changes in the balance of communities between Unionist and Nationalist traditions (a) in each ward in the City of Belfast and (b) in each ward of the City of Londonderry, since 1997; and if he will make a statement on the causes of those changes. [137719] Mr. Pearson: The Census of Population does not ask respondents about whether they consider themselves to be from a Unionist or Nationalist tradition. Accordingly the Census cannot provide the information requested. Information on Unionist and Nationalist identity is usually obtained from sample surveys. However the sample sizes are too small to allow robust estimation at local authority and ward level.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 413 c376W; 137718;137719
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Census Belfast Northern Ireland Population Nationalism Londonderry Unionism
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk