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EU 'sexual history' quiz denied UKIP claims 'sex census' victory
(about 18 hours later)
The EU has denied claims it plans to question women about their sexual history as part of a drive to improve census statistics. The UK Independence Party is claiming victory in its battle to stop the EU asking personal questions in censuses.
The European Parliament is due to vote on Wednesday on the harmonisation of census data across the EU. The European Parliament employment and social affairs committee voted not to tell member states to ask a question on "consensual union" in their censuses.
The European Commission says it needs better quality data on how people live in order to improve policy making. UKIP MEP Derek Clark said he was "delighted" with the judgement, adding that the question "should never have been there in the first place."
But the UK Independence Party said proposed questions about "consensual union" were too intrusive. The European Commission said the phrase "consensual union" did not mean sex.
The Commission has come up with an extensive list of questions it wants all member states to ask in their next census to improve data on housing and population. 'Intimate'
In addition to data on nationality, size of family, ethnicity, it also wants to find out about computer literacy, number of cars owned, cooking facilities and "durable consumer goods possessed by the household". Mr Clark said: "I am delighted that the section calling for intimate personal details to be revealed to government statisticians has been removed.
'Appalled' "After I demanded an explanation for its initial inclusion from the Commission official he accepted that the question should never have been there in the first place, and if removed, then the Commission would not seek to reintroduce it."
One proposed question asks the "date(s) of the beginning of consensual union(s) of women having ever been in a consensual union: (ii) first consensual union and (ii) current consensual union".
Consensual union, as well as information on dates/duration of marriage, is valuable for fertility statistics EurostatConsensual union, as well as information on dates/duration of marriage, is valuable for fertility statistics Eurostat
UKIP MEP Derek Clark said he was "appalled that the EU thinks it has the right to ask women such deeply personal questions and I defy anybody to give me a reason as to what use the answers will be". The Commission says it needs better quality data on how people live to formulate policies.
He said the proposed census questions were "the work of a group of MEPs who must spend their private time peering over their neighbours' fences". It has created a list of questions it wants all member states to ask in their next census to improve data on housing and population.
"I'd be incredible interested to know how a green-fingered couple in possession of a wide screen TV who sleep together will help housing planning, but I've no doubt the EU will come up with some lunatic reason how it does." In addition to data on nationality, size of family, ethnicity, it wants to find out about such matters as computer literacy, number of cars owned, cooking facilities and "durable consumer goods possessed by the household".
Mr Clark added: "This report is both crackers and deeply offensive. The dropped question would have asked the "date(s) of the beginning of consensual union(s) of women having ever been in a consensual union: (ii) first consensual union and (ii) current consensual union".
"When will politicians realise that George Orwell's 1984 was a warning, not an instruction manual?" 'Devil in detail'
'Fertility statistics' Mr Clark said: "Whilst they now claim that this has nothing to do with sexual partners, the clear inference in normally understood language is precisely that.
"Though this has now been struck down the devil is, as ever, in the details.
"The new version of the regulation allows questions to be inserted at a later date, and I will be keeping a close eye on it in order to protect our privacy."
A spokesman for Eurostat, which provides the EU with statistics at European level, said: "This definition has absolutely nothing to do with asking women about their sexual behaviour.A spokesman for Eurostat, which provides the EU with statistics at European level, said: "This definition has absolutely nothing to do with asking women about their sexual behaviour.
"Consensual union is in fact another term for unmarried partnership."Consensual union is in fact another term for unmarried partnership.
"Information on consensual unions may be needed in countries where statistics on marriages and on legal marital status do not provide sufficient information on the formation of partnerships."Information on consensual unions may be needed in countries where statistics on marriages and on legal marital status do not provide sufficient information on the formation of partnerships.
"Consensual union, as well as information on dates/duration of marriage, is valuable for fertility statistics and extends the knowledge that can be derived from data on number of live-born children.""Consensual union, as well as information on dates/duration of marriage, is valuable for fertility statistics and extends the knowledge that can be derived from data on number of live-born children."
He said the European Commission proposal contains "no questions related to sexual behaviour" or gardens, as UKIP has claimed.
"The Commission proposal does contain a question related to durable consumer goods, but this refers to major items such as washing machines, fridges and PCs," he added.
The Commission has said it needs more detailed information to plan better policy.
In a document setting out the proposals, it said: "The major objective is to give a sufficiently detailed picture of the structure and characteristics of the population that would allow the in-depth analysis required for planning, administration and monitoring in many policy areas.
"Many such policies have a European component, and the institutions of the European Union as well as member states demand reliable comparisons in the European context."