HC Deb 31 July 1980 vol 989 cc1714-5
10. Mr Parry

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied with race relations on Mersey-side.

Mr. Raison

We are not complacent about race relations anywhere. We are, however, aware of the efforts being made to find effective responses to the problems which Merseyside faces.

Mr. Parry

Is the Minister aware of the recent report of the Merseyside community relations council which expressed great concern at the tensions existing between young coloured people in Liverpool and the Merseyside police? Is he further aware that these young people are threatening to withdraw co-operation with the police? Has he seen a recent report of Liverpool trades council which also calls attention to the tension and frustration caused by the appalling unemployment among young coloured people? Do the Government plan to ameliorate the position or are we to have riots on our streets?

Mr. Raison

I am aware of the letter that the senior community relations officer of Merseyside sent to the chief constable of Merseyside on 10 July calling for a major review of the police approach to relations with the black community. I understand that the chief constable sent a considered reply on 29 July. In his letter he rejected the council's contention that there are bad relations between the police and the black community on Merseyside although he acknowledged that certain tensions existed. He also indicated that he would be fully prepared to consider and discuss the council's various proposals for improving relations.

Mr. Marlow

Does my hon. Friend agree that, in the long term, race relations on Merseyside, as in the rest of the country, will be best improved if the size of the immigrant and immigrant-descended population is kept to an absolute minimum?

Mr. Raison

As I have already told my hon. Friend it is the policy of the Government to tighten up immigration control. We have done that. However, that is not the whole story. Confidence between the different communities is absolutely essential.

Mr. McNally

Is the Minister satisfied that sufficient effort is being made on Merseyside, in Greater Manchester, in London, and in other areas where black Britons are living, to recruit them into the police forces? Is not there a danger in white forces policing the black unemployed? Should not the Minister's Department be making greater efforts to get black youngsters into the police forces?

Mr. Raison

I am aware of the problem described by the hon. Gentleman and we agree with him. We are planning to launch a campaign in the autumn to recruit black people into the police forces.