Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to the Italian Government on concerns about its potential census of Roma people.

The British Government is aware of reports of calls for a census of Roma people in Italy. The British Government opposes discrimination in all forms, as well as actions that might damage ethnic and community relations. The Rome people are one of the most disadvantaged minorities, and we support efforts at a European level to encourage Member States to take effective action to improve the situation of their Roma communities. We therefore urge all members of the international community to adhere to international law and human rights standards.