§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they propose to take to implement the recommendations of the Select Committee on Race Relations and Immigration regarding equal opportunities for non-white school-leavers.]
§ BARONESS PHILLIPSMy Lords, the Government's observations on the Report of the Select Committee on Race Relations and Immigration on the problems of coloured school-leavers have been published as Command Paper 4268.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, is my noble friend aware that many of us highly appreciate both the recommendations which have been made and the very large degree in which Her Majesty's Government have accepted them? May I just ask my noble friend two questions? First, have arrangements been made for the proposed conference between the representatives of the Confederation of British Industry and the Trades Union Congress, in order to ensure equality of opportunity for these school-leavers? Secondly, since many of these recommendations are advisory rather than executive, would Her Majesty's Government agree to make a progress report on how far they have been fulfilled, say at the end of one year?
§ BARONESS PHILLIPSMy Lords, I should like to thank the noble Lord for his commendation of Her Majesty's Government. Dealing with his first point, I may say that the joint meeting between the T.U.C. and the C.B.I. has at present 880 not actually been planned—the noble Lord will appreciate that this Command Paper has only just been laid before the House—but my honourable friend the Minister of State for the Department of Employment and Productivity has chaired a meeting with the T.U.C. to-day to discuss the first workings of the Race Relations Act. It is hoped that one of the topics will be the question of the opportunities for coloured people, and particularly school-leavers. On the other hand, the C.B.I. is holding a less formal meeting within a month, and this will certainly take in the Race Relations Act and discrimination, if any, in employment, and what steps can be taken to promote equal opportunities.
On the second suggestion of the noble Lord, I would say that so far as the Department of Education is concerned regular reports are made on progress in this field. It is not for me, as the noble Lord will appreciate, to commit Her Majesty's Government, but I will certainly refer his suggestion to my right honourable friend.
§ LORD BROCKWAYThank you very much.
§ LORD PARGITERMy Lords, would my noble friend agree that young Indian school-leavers who have had most of their education in this country do not find so much difficulty, but that those who have only recently come into the country and have little education do find difficulty? Is it not possible for encourage them to stay on at school by giving them perhaps some additional grants, to encourage them to become more proficient both in language and in custom?
§ BARONESS PHILLIPSMy Lords, I have not a breakdown of the nationalities in the Report before me now. I will take note of what the noble Lord says, and will certainly refer that point to my right honourable friend.