Bradford West MP Marsha Singh is campaigning for Sikhs and Kashmaris to be recognised as a distinct ethnic group in time for the national census.

Mr Singh has tabled an early day motion which urges the Office for National Statistics to revise the way it categorises people in time for the ten-yearly survey. Details of the questions to be included in the 2001 Census were being unveiled in a White Paper today.

It was expected the survey would include questions on religious affiliation for the first time since 1851 in a bid to paint a clearer picture of the ethnic make-up of the country.

Mr Singh said that the information was essential so local authorities and the country could provide effective services for both these groups.

But he warned it was not just a matter of religious beliefs.

The MP said: "It is more of a case of looking at specific needs ranging from cultural to linguistic needs.

"A census is very useful but there is a distinct Kashmari and Sikh population which should not be overlooked."

In previous censuses, Britons have only had to categorise themselves as white, black or Asian, leaving statisticians none the wiser about the detailed break-down of the population's ethnic roots.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.