HC Deb 14 May 1985 vol 79 cc155-6
1. Mr. Deakins

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will ask the Social Services Inspectorate to investigate the provision of social services to members of ethnic minority groups.

The Minister for Health (Mr. Kenneth Clarke)

The Social Services Inspectorate is continuing the work on this subject already started by the former Social Work Service. We have sponsored research, disseminated the results of that research, and held seminars with staff of social services departments on this subject. The inspectorate's programme of work outside our formal powers will be decided shortly by a joint steering group of representatives of our Department and local authority associations. I will ensure that the needs of ethnic minorities will be discussed when that programme is being decided.

Mr. Deakins

As this is a very important topic, especially for those hon. Members who live in areas with substantial ethnic minority populations with special problems of language, culture and age structure, will the Minister bear in mind the long-term need for a special development group in his Department to co-ordinate progress and research in that area and perhaps provide information and advice to local authorities with these problems?

Mr. Clarke

I am not sure about the hon. Gentleman's proposal, but I will consider the matter. A great deal of research is being carried out, and the results are being disseminated among local authorities. I agree, however, that there is some evidence that ethnic minorities have less access to social services than the bulk of the population. I am sure that everyone would wish to address themselves to that problem.

Mr. Terlezki

I appreciate that we should consider the ethnic minorities, but may I say that, as a member of an ethnic minority, I sincerely hope that we shall not be treated any differently from or better than anyone else?

Mr. Clarke

The main purpose of social services work is to aim at the needs of deprived people, of whatever racial origin. However, we must consider the special problems of particular sections, and we are doing so.

Mr. Janner

When considering the connection between ethnic minorities and social services, will the Minister take the opportunity to pay tribute to the members of the Asian minority for the way in which they not only look after their own elderly people but serve the elderly of the rest of the community? Without them, we could not keep open the old people's homes in areas such as Leicester.

Mr. Clarke

I quite agree. One reason why the Asian community makes so little call on the work of the social services departments is its excellent record of caring for its own old people in a wide family network. However, even among the Asian community, social patterns are changing. We must ensure that we do not over-rely on that aspect of the Asian community, with the result of neglect.

Mr. Budgen

May I remind my right hon. and learned Friend that the ethnic minorities have already been damaged by the Department of the Environment's policy of reverse discrimination in the granting of various forms of financial aid? If my right hon. and learned Friend's Department now adds a policy of reverse discrimination in the social services, the ethnic minorities will be severely damaged because they will come to be deeply resented by the white majority.

Mr. Clarke

I take my hon. Friend's point. We have to make sure that we give sensible assistance to local authorities to help them to deal with the problems of ethnic minorities. We are researching into the problems of aging and of the under-fives in ethnic communities, and so on, and we are trying to develop a sensible pattern of provision that will not unintentionally damage the interests of those ethnic minorities.

Ms. Harman

Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman recognise that there is some evidence that members of ethnic minority groups do not have equal access to services? Would it not be helpful for local authorities which are attempting to provide services for all those who need them to have a development group set up to advise them? Will the Minister ensure that such a development group, if set up, has enough money to do the job, that it starts soon, and that the Government provide the finance to ensure that the proposals that it makes are carried out?

Mr. Clarke

Access to services must be based on need rather than on statistics, as the hon. Lady will agree. We have sent to all local authorities works such as that by Juliette Cheatham, entitled "Social Work Services for Ethnic Minorities in Britain and the United States". So long as her approach is applied sensibly, we can add to the work of social services departments. We must beware of some of the pressures from so-called anti-racist groups, which probably do more harm than good.

Mr. Meadowcroft

Is it the Minister's opinion that the recruitment of social workers from the ethnic minorities is both culturally and linguistically useful? Will he encourage such recruitment?

Mr. Clarke

Yes, Sir.