HC Deb 01 March 1984 vol 55 c308W
Mr. Corbyn

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will ensure that the result of ethnic monitoring will remain confidential and not identifiable to any individual.

Mr. Alan Clark

No decision has yet been taken on the ethnic monitoring of unemployed pople. Any procedure for doing this will be entirely confidential and arrangements will be made to ensure that the identity of individuals is properly protected.

Mr. Corbyn

asked the Secretary of State for Employment when he will publish the results of the pilot ethnic monitoring schemes that his Department has carried out.

Mr. Alan Clark

I shall send these results to the hon. Member.

Mr. Corbyn

asked the Secretary of State for Employment with what bodies he has consulted about ethnic monitoring of the unemployed.

Mr. Alan Clark

Consultations on the reintroduction of statistics of ethnic minority unemployment have taken place with the Commission for Racial Equality and departmental trade union representatives. Additionally, five organisations representing ethnic minority interests were invited to give their views.

Mr. Corbyn

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what plans his Department has to introduce general ethnic monitoring of the unemployed.

Mr. Alan Clark

Alternative arrangements to collect statistics on ethnic minority unemployment are under consideration and my right hon. Friend will make an announcement in due course.