3.5 Data sets discounted or given minimal weight This section will examine a number of potentially significant datasets. These were either discounted or given little or no weight because little reliance could be placed upon them. 3.5.1 Census data The census, undertaken by the UK Office of National Statistics (ONS), is the most comprehensive source of data on the UK population. A census took place during the research for the project in 2011, but the data will not be available until September 2012 and so could not be analysed. The data from the previous census in 2001 would have been out of date and did not ask questions required for an analysis.103 Whilst the 2011 Census does not contain a question that specifically relates to statelessness104 the data resulting from the answers to four questions in the census will merit analysis.105 A possible method for analysing this data to help identify the number and profile of stateless persons in the UK is set out in Figure 22.106 Figure 24: A Method for analysing 2011 Census Data Question 15 Question 22 How would you describe your national identity? What passports do you hold? An answer box “other” is left open for a response of the individual’s choosing. In this instance an individual may self-declare as anything such as: “stateless”, “unknown nationality” or “no identity/nationality”. An answer box “other” is left open for a response of the individual’s choosing. In this instance, individuals may answer with “1954 Stateless Person’s Travel Document” or “none” for example. There may be variations in self-identification and limited understanding of the concept of statelessness among respondents and resulting limitations in accuracy. Therefore, cross-tabulations between both questions 15 and 22 and questions 9 and 16 (or proxy indicators) might be useful to help gain more certainty, clarity and detail from the findings. This is because specific countries or ethnicities are more likely to be faced with problems of statelessness or unreturnability. 103 Question 9 Question 16 What is your country of birth? What is your ethnic group? An answer box “elsewhere” exists for individuals from outside the UK, and is left open for a response of the individual’s choosing. Section E is described as “other” and is left open for a response of the individual’s choosing. The 2001 Census asked participants for their country of birth and ethnic grouping, but did not ask about what passport they hold. This would have made it hard to identify a stateless population. In addition, this census data is out of date, particularly as migration has caused a significant demographic change in the UK in the last decade. in the United Kingdom 55