§ Q6. Mr. Whitakerasked the Prime Minister whether he will co-ordinate action by Government Departments in Human Rights Year to eliminate religious discrimination.
§ The Prime MinisterExisting arrangements for co-ordination are I think adequate, Sir, but if my hon. Friend has any particular point in mind I would, of course, be happy to consider it.
§ Mr. WhitakerCan my right hon. Friend, first, say whether any public 290 offices, such as the Lord Chancellor's, carry religious criteria? Secondly, does he agree that before we sign the United Nations or the European Convention of Human Rights, we must have provision against religious discrimination in all parts of the United Kingdom?
§ The Prime MinisterI will certainly bear in mind what my hon. Friend has said. I have already answered the part which he has in mind in referring to all parts of the United Kingdom.
Concerning individual positions—the Lord Chancellor has been mentioned— I have not checked this recently. I think there was legislation of this kind. I shall have to study it to see what the present position is.
§ Mr. FortescueDoes the Prime Minister agree that in Great Britain the elimination of religious discrimination is best left to the tolerance and good sense of the people rather than to Government intervention?
§ The Prime MinisterThat has been the basis on which we have been conducting these affairs over a considerable time. It is on the question of race, as opposed to the question of religion, that we have introduced the Race Relations Bill.