To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families (1) how many children from the Traveller community are registered for primary education in England and Wales; (181006)

Figures refer to England only. In 2007 there were 2,840 pupils of Traveller of Irish heritage background and 5,370 pupils of Gypsy/Roma background at primary schools and there were 1,040 pupils who were of Traveller of Irish heritage background and 2,610 pupils of Gypsy/Roma background at secondary schools.

We know that this does not reflect the correct number of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller children and young people in our schools as many parents and pupils from these communities fear bullying and prejudice if they identify themselves in school census data. The Department will publish “The Inclusion of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Children and Young People” a guidance document for local authorities and schools in February 2008. This will offer a range of strategies to encourage Gypsy, Roma and Traveller parents and children to self-ascribe their ethnicity in school census data collection.

The figures have been taken from the annual publication “Schools and Pupils in England; January 2007 (Final)” which is available at:

http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR.s000744/index.shtml.

For information on Wales I refer my hon. Friend to the Welsh Assembly,