Overcoming The Language Barrier For Census 2001

7th February 2001

Leaflets explaining the need for the Census on Sunday 29 April have been produced in a variety of languages to help ethnic minority communities. The leaflet explains how the Census form will be delivered, who is responsible in each household for filling it in, as well as who must be included and how long it should take. The leaflet is available in Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu.

The leaflet also explains why there are two questions on religion and one on ethnic group or background. The main purpose is to provide benchmark information to form policies to counter religious or racial discrimination. The religion questions are voluntary, but the ethnic group question and all the other questions must be answered.

The leaflet is the outcome of extensive consultation carried out by the Registrar General for Scotland, who is running the Census. Other ways of assisting those who need help in completing the Census form include a Census Helpline, a languages Helpline for those whose first language is not English, and a textphone for the deaf.

The Enumerators, who will personally deliver the Census form to each household in Scotland, will also have the 42 Census questions available in the six languages as well as English and Gaelic. In addition, information will be available in large type and Braille. However, the actual Census form will be in English and in a standard size because all the information will later be scanned. Most questions will only require a tick in a box.

The recently appointed Census Area Managers are also in touch with local ethnic community organisations as well as groups who will help the disabled and can, if required, arrange for a translator.

"It is important that everyone is counted on Census day," explained John Randall, the Registrar General for Scotland, "and we are taking all the steps we can to help those who may feel disadvantaged or excluded. Information gathered in the Census will help counter racial and religious discrimination and disadvantage and help identify the extent and nature of such disadvantage."

Added Mr Randall: "It will also provide a sound basis for monitoring the impact of equal opportunities policies. Additionally, Census data will help central and local government plan programmes and allocate resources more efficiently for a multi-cultural and diverse society."

Mr Randall also emphasised that individual Census results are confidential and the forms will not become public records for 100 years.