The question in the 2001 Census, 'What is your religion?' was the first time that this question has ever been asked in Great Britain. (In Northern Ireland the question has been asked since 1861.) Testing of the question had shown that, in general, the topic was acceptable to the public but in response to concerns from Parliament about civil liberties it was agreed that this question would be voluntary. In England and Wales, the Census form posed one question only, asking respondents to select their religion. Two voluntary questions were asked in Scotland and Northern Ireland, distinguishing between current religion and religion of upbringing.
It is expected that the responses to the questions on religion and ethnicity together will provide a wealth of opportunities for social and cultural analyses. At present there is very little information on the ethno-cultural make-up of the country. (Dixie and Dorling, 2002)