HL Deb 30 July 1975 vol 363 cc1009-10

2.41 p.m.

Lord BROCKWAY

My 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 is their attitude towards the recommendations of the Report of the Select Committee of the House of Commons on Race Relations and Immigration.

Lord WELLS-PESTELL

My Lords, the Government welcome the Report on the organisation of race relations administration which the Committee has produced. The Government will give most careful consideration to the Select Committee's recommendations and will respond as soon as possible. Noble Lords will, I hope, agree that it would not be helpful for me to seek to comment in the meantime on the detailed recommendations which the Select Committee has made.

Lord BROCKWAY

My Lords, while thanking the Minister for that reply, may I ask whether he would agree that the disturbing features of this Report are, first, the indications of the extent of racial feeling and discrimination, particularly on the part of teenagers; and, secondly, the cynicism which exists now among immigrant communities about the existing administration? Without going into the nature of the future authorities, would it not be desirable that each should have powers similar to those given in the Sex Discrimination Bill for preventive activity, and for some representation of the immigrant communities?

Lord WELLS-PESTELL

My Lords, the Government are aware of all the matters raised by my noble friend, and it is because of the complexity of these matters that the Government want time to consider the comments, observations and suggestions which the Select Commitee has made. I understand that it is hoped to use the Sex Discrimination Bill to remedy some of the difficulties facing us at the moment.

Lord AVEBURY

My Lords, is it still the intention of the Government to produce a White Paper in September?

Lord WELLS-PESTELL

My Lords, it is the intention of the Government to produce a White Paper. All the other reports issued by the Select Committee in the past, with the exception of one, have resulted in White Papers appearing in about a year. It is certainly the intention of the Government to do so on this occasion. September is a date not known to me and I should think it most unlikely.