Ethnicity Data

[Ken L]

Rather late I know but I've just brought my new rod licence on line and was astonished to find that the Post Office/EA collect ethnicity data as part of the purchacing process.

In this particular instance, completion is not compulsary (although it doesn't actually tell you that) so I just ignored it but it does beg the questions:

 

Does anybody actually willingly provide this sort of data ?

 

and

 

What possible use is ethnicity data on a rod licence ?

[Cranfield]

This appears as "optional" on quite a few forms.

I always complete it with as much imagination regarding my ethnicity as I can manage.

On my fishing licence application I decided to be "chinese".

[Vagabond]

On my fishing licence application I decided to be "chinese".

 

You probably did angling in general a good turn.

 

One reason I have heard re asking for this information is that for any activity to attract Government "support" (and don't ask "what support" ?) it is helpful to demonstrate to the "political correctness" lobby that ethnic minorities participate in it.

 

There used to be something similar in Government funding for "mature students" taking degree courses, (they included "occupation" as well as "ethic origin", and operated quota systems on both)which is why I encouraged my adult students to enter "redundant sagger-maker's bottom knocker" (yes, there is such a trade!) rather than "retired men's hairdresser" or "unemployed shepherdess" rather than "housewife".

 

Next year try "Uranian" They will not know if it is a mistype for "Ukranian", a chap from Teheran whose English is a bit shaky, or someone from outer space.

[gozzer]

I think it's there so that they know which strain of carp to stock next in our waters.

This is so that those from foreign climes can feel more at home when fishing.

 

John.

[Steve Walker]

It's to generate headlines like this one, and to work out how much of the licence fee should be spent trying to persuade targeted groups that they should go fishing. Utterly ludicrous in my view.

[Ken L]

Pilot schemes, such as one in Swansea, where Muslim women and children have been taught to fish by experts from the Salmon and Trout Association, are set to be extended nationwide.

 

That about sums up what I was thinking.

 

I've fished with mates who are white, chinese, indian, and black (although "black" is a bit of a crude catchall for the backgrounds of some of the guys) and we've all got on well enough without some whitehall arse shoehorning us together.

What really winds me up is that the cash that is being thrown at schemes like this should be being used to improve angling for all. Afterall one of the great things about fishing is that it's there for anyone who chooses to take part irrespective of their background - all they have to do is seek it out.

[Elton]

But Ken, the biggest growth industry in the UK appears to be 'funding'. Got to have data that shows that somebody is being under-represented, otherwise you can't get funding.

 

It's pathetic - your colour, race, sexuality or religion have nothing to do with your ability or desire to go fishing. Or pretty much anything else, come to that.

[Ken L]

Ah well, just another reason to loath and detest the "multiculturalism" and "diversity" that's being rammed down our colective necks.

[kleinboet]

What I do is usually put a line through it and make a note that there is a typo: I AM NOT "WHITE"(I

would be dead) - I AM PINK!!!!

[nursejudy]

when we request any eqipment for a patient for example a male urinal,a bed pan or commode we are supposed to put the right ethnic code on..... always make me smile ...do urinals come in different colours !!!!!!!!!!!!