Written - 2011 Census White Paper

I am pleased to inform members that the 2011 Census White Paper ‘Helping to shape tomorrow’ was published today, 11 December 2008. The White Paper sets out the UK Statistics Authority’s proposals for the 2011 Census in England and Wales, and is published bilingually for the first time.

The White Paper includes information on the proposed content of the 2011 Census questionnaire. I particularly welcome the proposals to ask a national identity question for the first time. This will allow people to state their Welsh identity alongside their ethnicity.

New questions are proposed with the aim of improving the measurement of migration and particularly the patterns of short-term economic migration. These include information on citizenship and, for those born outside the UK, their date of entry into the UK and intended length of stay. New questions are also being proposed on second residences in order to better understand more mobile population groups.

Census questionnaires will be posted out to the majority (around 95 per cent) of households while enumerators will hand-deliver to the rest. I welcome proposals to ensure that each household in Wales will receive both an English and Welsh copy of the questionnaire. The dual development and testing of the Welsh questionnaire alongside the English version for the first time is also an important step-forward.

Householders will also be able to make their census return online, through a secure Internet connection for the first time.

Under a recent transfer of functions, Welsh Ministers will be responsible for making the Census Regulations for Wales in 2010. The Welsh Assembly Government are working alongside the Office for National Statistics to ensure that the Census Regulations for Wales are drafted and developed alongside the Regulations for England. Welsh Ministers will also be consulted on the Census Order during 2009.

The White Paper has been laid before the National Assembly for Wales, and is available at:

http://www.assemblywales.org/bus-home/bus-guide-docs-pub/bus-business-documents/bus-business-documents-doc-laid.htm

The White Paper is being published at this time to allow a public discussion on the proposals for the content and conduct of the 2011 Census which will affect every person and household in the country.