Survey of Racial Minorities, 1974; Asians

<P>Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.</P>The purpose of this survey was to study non-white people aged 15 and over, whose families originate from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, or the East Indies, with reference to their housing, employment and educational characteristics, their awareness and experience of racial discrimination. Comparative data were also collected for white men aged 16 and over, using the same questionnaire but with questions omitted when not applicable.<br><B>Main Topics</B>:<BR> Attitudinal/Behavioural Questions<br>
Immigration: reasons; advantages of Britain/previous country; whether definite job arranged prior to arrival. Residence: number of rooms occupied; whether house was multi-occupied; amenities (whether shared); number of addresses in past five years. Tenure:<br>
1. If owned: whether singly or jointly; mortgage/loan details; leasehold/freehold (date of expiry).<br>
2. If rented: rent and rates details; council/private ownership; race of landlord. Council house tenants were asked how they obtained their housing.<br>
Reasons for leaving previous residence:<br>
A. Personal experience of mortgage/loan refusal, type of organisation which refused, year of application.<br>
B. Personal experience of refusal of rented accommodation, number of refusals, details of last refusal.<br>
In both A and B, respondents were asked to give the organisation's reasons for refusal and their personal opinion of reasons, with an explanation. Details of housing and financial facilities provided by the Council, entitlement/receipt of rent rebates and/or allowances, whether respondent has made an application to the council (length of time on waiting list). Occupation: hours worked per week, position, responsibility, qualifications, nature of firm, number of employees, source of information about job, promotion prospects, job satisfaction. In addition, respondents were asked whether they had visited the employment exchange or were receiving/had received benefits since 1964. Respondents were asked to relate experiences of unfair treatment with regard to promotion or application for jobs, and whether they thought there were firms giving equal opportunities to Asians and whites. Whether respondent believed employers discriminated against them - reasons. Details of previous refusals. Trade union membership and existence of unions at workplace.<br>
Whether unemployed women had ever considered working (reasons). Working women with children were asked about child care facilities (hours, cost, satisfaction, etc.) Asian women were asked whether religion or family custom restricted their lives in terms of work, going out, company. Desired change was explored.<br>
All respondents asked whether situation in Britain had improved for Asians over past five years - reasons. Knowledge of government bodies on race relations/Race Relations Board and its functions/Community Relations Commission and its functions was tested.<br>
Whether voted at previous general election. Whether on voting list.<br>
Background Variables<br>
Age, sex, place of birth, previous countries of residence, date of arrival in Britain, age on arrival in Britain. Number of persons in household, household status. Age finished full-time education, examination and qualification details, further study, school attended by children.<br>
Employment status, income, ownership of consumer durables. Residence: type, age, external conditions. Fluency in English, language of interview. Sampling area. Religion, church/mosque/temple attendance.