Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to the contribution from the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 2 November 2016, Official Report, column 879, what work is being done to progress work to distinguish Gypsies and Travellers using 2011 census classifications in his Department.

This government is committed to accurate monitoring of ethnicity across the justice system, including those who identify as Gypsies or Travellers.

The department has complied fully with the requirements of the Racial Disparity Audit and looked to provide data using the 2011 census classifications where able to do so. The Racial Disparity Audit is due to be published later this year.

In addition, The Rt Hon David Lammy MP was appointed last year to conduct an independent review into the treatment of, and outcomes for, Black Asian and Minority Ethnic individuals in the Criminal Justice System. As such, Gypsies and Travellers are within the scope of this Review and are being considered as part of his findings. David Lammy’s final report is due to be published this Autumn.

The Race Disparity Audit will publish Government data about ethnicity. The data will show the ethnic classifications available for each dataset covered, including where available Gypsies and Travellers.