§ 13. Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultations he proposes to have with community relations organisations in connection with the Immigration Bill, and, in particular, concerning the registration provisions of the Bill.
§ Mr. SharplesMy right hon. Friend proposes to consult the Community Rela- 1574 tions Commission before making regulations about police registration.
§ Mr. DavisI thank the hon. Gentleman for that change of attitude, because he refused to give an undertaking to that effect during the Committee stage of the Immigration Bill. Does he not think it would be appropriate to convene a series of meetings of community relations councils on a regional basis to attempt a dialogue between the Minister and those most directly affected with the day-to-day work of creating harmony between people of different races?
§ Mr. SharplesAs I said when the House was discussing the Immigration Bill, the correct channel of communication between the Home Secretary and the community relations councils is through the Community Relations Commission. The councils themselves know that any view which they express, directly or through the Commission, will be carefully considered.
§ Mr. Biggs-DavisonWhile welcoming such consultations, may I ask my hon. Friend whether he agrees that it is quite improper for community relations organisations in receipt of public funds to create political agitation, with the assistance of groups on one side of politics, against the Immigration Bill?
§ Mr. SharplesI think I am right in saying that my hon. Friend has a later Question down about this matter.
§ Mr. Biggs-DavisonYes, indeed I have.
§ Mr. MolloyWill the hon. Gentleman reconsider his reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Hackney, Central (Mr. Clinton Davis)? As local authorities, education authorities and library associations have conferences, and as community relations people are now part and parcel of our ordinary local authority set-up, will the hon. Gentleman encourage them to have an annual conference not merely on this issue but to make it an established fact and put them on the same basis as the other organisations which I have mentioned?
§ Mr. SharplesHow they conduct their business is a matter for them. The Question relates to representations to my right hon. Friend. As I said, the 1575 correct channel for such representations is through the Community Relations Commission.
§ Mr. S. C. SilkinWill the Minister make it clear that these community relations bodies are entitled to express a view about what they conceive to be the likely working of the Immigration Bill?
§ Mr. SharplesHaving been disinclined to be drawn into giving an answer to a later question in reply to my hon. Friend, it would be discourteous to do so now in reply to the hon. and learned Gentleman.