§ 2.46 p.m.
§ 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 appoint a Committee of Inquiry into the workings of the Race Relations Board.]
§ LORD WINDLESHAMMy Lords, the Board themselves are reviewing their organisation and effectiveness, in the light of experience, and the Government do not consider that any special Committee of Inquiry is necessary.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, I welcome that statement and having great appreciation of the dedication of the Chairman and of the members of the Board, I would ask: is it not a fact that there is a great deal of absence of confidence in the Board among the immigrant community and that the hopes of many of us who were concerned have not been fulfilled? Will the Government, therefore, seek to ensure that this inquiry by the Board itself shall be as thorough as possible?
§ LORD WINDLESHAMMy Lords, I know very well the noble Lord's interest in the Race Relations Board; indeed, he was in many ways responsible for the legislation which set it up. The Board themselves, and the new chairman, Sir Geoffrey Wilson, have the full support of the Government. If there is any way in which we can help them to improve and make more effective their procedures, we shall certainly do so.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, in thanking the Minister for that answer, may I ask whether his attention has been drawn to the criticisms which have been voiced in Race Today, which is the journal of the Institute of Race Relations, of which an honoured Member of this House is Chairman? Without accepting all these criticisms, would the noble Lord draw the attention of the Committee of Inquiry to the need for: (a) more participation in the administration by the coloured community; (b) more training of the staff and of the conciliation officers; (c) the speeding up of the handling of cases; (d) the desirability of legal representation of the complainants, who are often without the language and, being from other countries, are confused?
§ LORD WINDLESHAMYes, my Lords. I should like to make clear that no formal Committee of Inquiry, as such, is sitting. The new Chairman and the members of the Board are themselves reviewing the effectiveness of their procedures, and both they and the Government are well aware of the criticisms in Race Today and elsewhere which have recently been put forward. It is only natural and healthy that there should be discussion and argument on matters on which it is possible to reach differing conclusions. The points the noble Lord has just mentioned are very much in the minds of the Chairman and the members of the Board.