§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the impending court action, he will reconsider his previous decision not to allow the Commission for Racial Equality to carry out an investigation into immigration procedures; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WhitelawI am advised that the Race Relations Act 1976 gives the Commission no power to conduct a formal investigation in the terms it has proposed. Steps have been taken to bring the issue before the courts in friendly proceedings so that the difference of view about the extent of the Commission's powers may be resolved.