HL Deb 15 March 1993 vol 543 cc1216-7

2.52 p.m.

Baroness Hamwee asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the proposed cut in funding under Section 11 of the Local Government Act 1966 (special provision by means of Home Office grant for ethnic minority communities) will adversely affect the access of people lawfully settled in this country to a full range of opportunities.

The Minister of State, Home Office (Earl Ferrers)

My Lords, Section 11 grant remains a major expenditure programme. We will work closely with local authorities and others so as to ensure that the available funding achieves the maximum benefit for members of ethnic minorities.

Baroness Hamwee

My Lords, I thank the Minister for that reply. He will be aware that the available funding is being reduced. Will he accept that fluency in the English language is fundamental and that English as a second language is not a national curriculum subject and therefore cannot be supported out of mainstream funding? In answering, will he bear in mind that my question is based on words published in the Conservative manifesto last April? They are: We are determined that everyone lawfully settled in this country should enjoy the full range of opportunities in our society".

Earl Ferrers

My Lords, I quite agree with the noble Baroness that fluency in English is vital. We intend to see that the best use is made of the moneys available. The sum available next year will be increased on the sum available this year. It will be after that that there will be a cut in the amount of the grant given. In the present economic difficulties it is not possible always to maintain the level of grants which one might normally wish to do.

Lord Morris of Castle Morris

My Lords, can the noble Earl explain to the House how it is either just or logical that Section 11 money is confined to projects benefiting New Commonwealth citizens when for the past 20 years, at the very least, the increasing majority of refugees have come from places like Chile, Vietnam, Iraq, Iran, Ethiopia, Somalia, and now from the former Yugoslavia? Are not their needs every bit as great?

Earl Ferrers

Yes, my Lords, the reason for that is historical. The money available has come under the 1966 Act which referred to Commonwealth immigrants. When a suitable legislative opportunity comes it will be possible to extend that grant to other ethnic minorities. However, the noble Lord will realise that the ethnic minority grant has been made available specifically for that purpose.

Baroness Seear

My Lords, the noble Earl accepts that a knowledge of English is vital. Does he agree that if Section 11 money is regrettably cut funds should be made more freely available to the many adult colleges that are running basic English courses specially calculated to help these people? That is another way of getting help if they are not getting it through Section 11.

Earl Ferrers

My Lords, there are all kinds of reasons why it is desirable to increase grants for various purposes. The noble Baroness will be the first to understand that in difficult economic circumstances one has to make certain cuts in various arrangements. But certainly the noble Baroness's point has validity. I shall look at it.