HC Deb 12 January 1998 vol 304 cc8-9
6. Mr. Fitzpatrick

If he will make a statement on the Government's plans to increase recuritment of ethnic minorities into the United Kingdom's armed forces. [20201]

Mr. Spellar

It is the Government's aim that the armed forces should recruit the best people and should better reflect the ethnic composition of the society that they defend. All three services are placing particular importance on ethnic minorities recruitment. The tri-service initiatives in Newham and Sandwell and the Army's specific campaign are being supported by local single-service initiatives.

Mr. Fitzpatrick

I thank the Minister for his response. I am sure that the House welcomes the Government's aim to have modern forces that better reflect the society that they protect. With that in mind, and with reference to the Newham initiative, what arrangements will my hon. Friend put in place to monitor the success, or otherwise, of those initiatives?

Mr. Spellar

I thank my hon. Friend for his comments and for the co-operation of Newham council and Newham Members of Parliament in the initiative. He is right that initiatives alone are not enough. We should also, not only during recruitment, monitor the development and progress of individuals who join the armed forces, first, to ensure that we are doing things right and, secondly—where we find that certain avenues are not working—so that we can refine our processes. That will be important. We look forward not only to working with the local authorities that are involved but, obviously, to examining the activities of the armed forces themselves to ensure that we monitor progress and developments.

Mr. Brazier

In welcoming the principle of attracting more people from ethnic minorities into the armed forces, it is perhaps worth remembering that the largest volunteer army was the Indian army, which fought with us against the Japanese. Will the Minister none the less assure the House that, in the initiatives that he has mentioned, there will be no attempt to introduce affirmative action? The recruitment of ethnic minorities must be on the basis of attracting them and of merit; it should not be a case of our saying to anyone else in the armed forces, "Someone else is being chosen for the post instead of you because of affirmative action."

Mr. Spellar

I think the hon. Gentleman would accept that the reverse is true. If only a small percentage of one group comes into our armed forces, it is likely that we are not getting the best people from that group. Therefore, if we can bring in more people, particularly from the ethnic community, who, for several reasons, have not joined before—although, as the hon. Gentleman rightly says, in many cases, they did so in the past—we will enhance the armed forces and it will be better for the armed forces and for our society.

Ms Abbott

Does my hon. Friend accept that one reason why large numbers of black ethnic minority people do not join the armed forces is that they hear recurrent reports of the sad brutality towards and harassment of black members? I have in mind a particular case, which relates to the Marines, that has been reported over the past few days. The brutality and harassment go far beyond mere horseplay and teasing. What steps are the Government taking to stamp out that sort of behaviour towards black people who join the armed forces?

Mr. Spellar

The Army has introduced a confidential support hotline, outside the chain of command, which people can use to make their complaints if they feel that they are not being addressed. My hon. Friend should accept that all three services are seized of their responsibilities in this matter. They are not just making strong statements—they are taking action to eliminate racial harassment, bullying and discrimination. Unfortunately, the success stories are not publicised, but, as always, the exceptions are.

The armed forces are determined to stamp out the sort of behaviour to which my hon. Friend referred. There is a real career available in the armed forces for those from the ethnic community—as, indeed, there is for those from the rest of the community. After all, the armed forces recruit about 25,000 people a year for good, fulfilling jobs.