§ 7. Mr. Maddenasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many race relations employment advisers are employed by his Department; and if he will indicate their duties.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Employment (Mr. John Grant)There are 18 race relations employment advisers, four of whom are part-time. They work closely with the agencies of the Manpower Services Commission and provide a specialist service to help both sides of industry to handle questions that may arise in a multi-racial work force.
§ Mr. MaddenWill my hon. Friend confirm that there is a disproportionate level of unemployment among black people in the United Kingdom, compared with white people, and thereby repudiate the lies peddled by the merchants of race hate that black people are forcing white people into unemployment?
§ Mr. GrantI confirm what my hon. Friend said. There is a disproportionate number of coloured people who are unemployed, compared with white people. Their unemployment rate is slightly higher than the national average. Unemployment among minority groups was 49,656 on 13th May—an increase of 2,714 in three months. However, this compares with an increase of 5,341 in the previous quarter.
§ Mr. LiptonCan my hon. Friend say how these employment advisers are distributed? How many are in London and how many are in the provinces?
§ Mr. FarrWhat are the advisers doing that the existing area conciliation committees cannot already do? Is not the fact that the Minister has seen fit to employ these people a form of racial discrimination in itself?
§ Mr. GrantFar from it. There is a general recognition by all those involved in race relations in industry that the advisers perform a very valuable function. They maintain contact with all agencies, including the bodies mentioned by the hon. Member.