HC Deb 20 June 1988 vol 135 c377W
Mr. Dykes

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will hold discussions with representatives of the Metropolitan police concerning the future establishment of appropriate structures to monitor and settle problems of racial equality in the service, the promotion of black officers and appraisal procedures, and training improvements.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

Since December 1986, the Metropolitan police have been implementing an equal opportunities programme with the help of the Commission for Racial Equality, the Equal Opportunities Commission, and the race relations advisory service of the Department of Employment. Issues of race and sex equality are handled by the equal opportunities unit which has been set up in the force and last year a procedure was introduced to enable officers to seek redress for grievances under the Race Relations Act 1976.

I understand from the Commissioner that recruit selection is undertaken only by those trained in equal opportunities. All probationers, and other serving officers, also receive such training. The force is also developing a computerised system to monitor equality of treatment, and the staff appraisal system has recently been modified taking account of the need to ensure equal opportunities. At present, 7.1 per cent. of the 442 officers from ethnic minority backgrounds hold supervisory ranks.

Given the continuing progress being made by the Metropolitan police in this area, we do not consider that discussions are needed at present.