HL Deb 19 March 1979 vol 399 cc861-2

2.40 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 whether they will make a Statement on their proposals to require firms fulfilling Government contracts to carry out their obligations under the Race Relations Acts.

The LORD PRIVY SEAL (Lord Peart)

My Lords, there has been a condition in Government contracts since 1969 requiring contractors not to discriminate unlawfully within the meaning of the employment provisions of the Race Relations Acts. In the White Paper Racial Discrimination (Cmnd. 6234), the Government announced their intention to take a more active role in eliminating racial discrimination by revising the condition to the effect that contractors should provide on request to the Department of Employment such information about their employment policies and practices as the Department might reasonably require. The Government are currently consulting with the CBI, TUC and the Commission for Racial Equality about their proposals for giving effect to this undertaking. These proposals cover the form of a revised contract condition, the selection of the contractors to be approached and the type of information to be requested.

Lord BROCKWAY

My Lords, while welcoming that reply, may I ask my noble friend whether he has evidence that companies have been breaking the conditions laid down in the Act; and is that not rather disturbing because the main effect of the Race Relations Act in this sphere was with the larger companies?

Lord PEART

No, my Lords, I have no evidence. I think that British employers act sensibly within what is the desired policy of whatever Government are in power, and on this there is no party issue.

Lord LEATHERLAND

My Lords, can my noble friend tell me whether this is a two-way traffic, and therefore whether the proprietor of an Indian restaurant would be required to employ a certain number of white people on his staff?

Lord PEART

My Lords, I do not think that I should answer hypothetical questions.

Viscount ST. DAVIDS

My Lords, is not this Question a little surprising? Surely we are all supposed to obey the law, are we not? Why should there be any doubt?

Lord PEART

My Lords, that is why I said what I did. I have said that the Act is working reasonably well, and let us leave it at that.