§ 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 whether they will associate the United Kingdom with the recommendation of the General Assembly of the United Nations that 1971 should be declared a year against racism, and whether they will initiate a conference of organisations concerned with this issue to prepare a campaign of education and activity.]
§ THE MINISTER OF STATE, SCOTTISH OFFICE (BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIE)My Lords, Her Majesty's Government are already associated with this Year, which will be known in the United Kingdom as International Year for Racial Harmony. We do not think it is necessary to initiate a conference because the Community Relations Commission is already in consultation with the appropriate organisations.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, I appreciate that reply and I thank the noble Baroness for it. May I ask this further question? In view of the fact that we are in a very transitional stage—of great dangers but also of great hopes—will Her Majesty's Government encourage the Community Relations Commission to call the widest possible conference of 118 organisations so that a really dramatic impulse can be made to this effort during the year?
§ BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIEMy Lords, the Community Relations Commission have already established an advisory council on education and have also set up a working party to consider the best means of carrying out International Year for Racial Harmony.
§ LORD CONESFORDMy Lords did the Assembly of the United Nations really use the word "racism"? If so, why did it indulge in such repulsive illiteracy?
§ BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIEMy Lords, it is perfectly true that the United Nations General Assembly did put forward a resolution which called for an International Year for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination. The reason why this language was used is beyond me.