Edinburgh - A decision not to include a question on religious affiliation in the Scottish census has started a controversy, with allegations that the decision was motivated by anti-Catholic sentiment. The Scottish government says any question would be too vague to be useful, but now leading historians have called for its inclusion, writes Alex Bell.
A census is taken every 10 years throughout the UK. Under devolution, the Scottish government decides what is included in the questionnaire. The Justice Minister, Mr Jim Wallace, has ruled there will not be a question of religious affiliation.
He has argued that simply asking people what religion they are does not reflect the real number of people who regularly attend religious worship. He says that it is only active worshippers who are of statistical interest.