§ 1. Mr. Huntasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recommendations have been made during the year 1970–71 by the Race Relations Research Committee set up by his Department under the chairmanship of Professor Kenneth Little ; what projects have been carried out as a result of such recommendations ; and to what extent any results have been evaluated.
§ The Minister of State, Home Office (Mr Richard Sharples)I have nothing to add to the answers given to the Questions asked by my hon. Friend on 15th July.—[Vol. 821, c. 135–6.]
§ Mr. HuntIs my hon. Friend aware that many of us feel that the work of this Committee has been disappointingly slow in a field which is crying out for new and constructive endeavours? Can he say a little more about the projects which are already in hand and also say why such a small proportion of the £15,000 allocated under the Race Relations Act has so far been spent? Will he do all he can to instil a sense of urgency into this Committee, particularly under its excellent new chairman?
§ Mr. SharplesI appreciate that there is some urgency in the matter. In fact, several projects have been supported by the Committee—first, research into information about immigrants in selected areas, which should be completed shortly ; secondly, research by social workers in the Leeds and Bradford areas, which will be finished next year ; and a grant has been made in connection with a study of problems facing Asian teenage girls. There are other projects as well.