HC Deb 10 June 2004 vol 422 cc396-7
11. Keith Vaz (Leicester, East) (Lab)

What representations she has received on her proposals to abolish the Commission for Racial Equality. [177763]

The Minister for Industry and the Regions (Jacqui Smith)

We have already received a number of responses to the White Paper "Fairness For All", which was published on 12 May and sets out our proposals for the creation of a commission for equality and human rights. The CEHR will draw together the work of the Commission for Racial Equality, the Disability Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunities Commission to promote an inclusive vision of equality and human rights and to bring a coherent approach to supporting discrimination legislation, including that for the new strands of sexual orientation, religion, belief and age. We welcome debate on those proposals, which are open for consultation until 6 August.

Keith Vaz

Nobody doubts the Government's commitment to racial equality, bearing in mind the fact that the Secretary of State herself represents with distinction the great multiracial city of Leicester. However, my right hon. Friend the Minister for Industry and the Regions must be aware of widespread concerns in the community about the proposal to abolish the Commission for Racial Equality and incorporate it into a body in which other organisations will be involved. Will she reassert and reaffirm the Government's commitment to the race agenda in its entirety? Will she ask the Secretary of State whether she will be prepared to meet a delegation of Members of this House so that we can express the concerns that have been raised and so that there is a proper and appropriate dialogue with the ethnic minority community on such an important issue?

Jacqui Smith

The proposal certainly does not represent the abolition of the Commission for Racial Equality. It will build the commission's work into that of a commission that will provide a stronger and more coherent voice on race equality and equality more generally. The organisation will better recognise the needs of employers and service providers and also recognise the full breadth of how we see ourselves. Importantly, with respect to race equality, it will enable a fuller range of powers to be used to tackle discrimination; up to this point, the Commission for Racial Equality has not been able to use such powers, unlike other equality commissions. Those powers include the ability to use conciliation services, a broader scope for named investigations and the ability to use binding agreements.

Following consultations on the White Paper in various regions, I have agreed to meet the all-party groups on sex equality and on equalities. I understand that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State would be pleased to meet hon. Members to discuss how we may ensure that the new commission builds on existing commissions and creates something better both for people who are worried about race equality and all of us who want to develop an economy and society that are built on the talents of everyone and the inclusion of all in our communities.