HC Deb 10 April 1967 vol 744 cc738-9
49. Mr. Marquand

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will change his policy regarding the compilation of official statistics on the employment of coloured workers in the light of the evidence produced at the recent conference on racial equality in employment held by the National Committee for Commonwealth Immigrants, details of which have been sent to him.

Mr. Fernyhough

No. The position remains as I explained to the hon. Member on 20th February. —[Vol. 741, c. 1125.]

Mr. Marquand

Is my hon. Friend aware that at the conference on racial equality in employment it became abundantly clear that American experience shows that one cannot effectively deal with the problem of racial discrimination in employment if one has not the statistical basis to know what is happening? Could he, therefore, make some advance in this field?

Mr. Fernyhough

There is no argument between the Government and my hon. Friend about aims. The only argument is about the means. It is a question of judgment. I can, however, tell my hon. Friend that the Home Secretary will be looking at the matter again. That is as far as I can go at present.