asked Her Majesty's Government:(A) What percentage of the population of the territory which now comprises Northern Ireland was Roman Catholic in (i) 1918 and (ii) 1998; and(B) What percentage of the population of the territory which now comprises the Republic of Ireland was Protestant in (i) 1918 and (ii) 1998. [HL610]

Responsibility for the collection of figures relating to the population of Northern Ireland has been devolved to the Northern Ireland Assembly and is therefore no longer a matter for the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. However I have asked for those figures which are available to be obtained and given to you. As regards figures relating to the population of the Republic of Ireland, that is a matter for the Government of the Republic of Ireland.