§ Mrs. Ann WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how much money has been spent on hospitality by the Commission for Racial Equality in each of the last five years; if he will indicate(a) the nature and cost and (b) the purpose of each event; how many (i) guests and (ii) commission personnel enjoyed the hospitality at each event; and if he will make a statement;
(2) under what authority the Commission for Racial Equality may extend hospitality in public houses to the staff of right hon. and hon. Members; what was the purpose of the reception for research assistants planned by the commission for Thursday 24 November in the Red Lion pub, Whitehall; why that reception was subsequently cancelled; if he will ensure that public funds are not used by the commission for such purposes in the future; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Nicholas BakerI will write to the hon. Member and a copy of the letter will be placed in the Library.
§ Mrs. Ann WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to suspend all payments to the Commission for Racial Equality until such time as the House has the opportunity to consider proposed legislation for its abolition.
§ Mr. Nicholas BakerNo.
§ Mrs. Ann WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what funds have been made available to the Commission for Racial Equality in each of the last five years for which figures are available; for what purpose those funds are intended; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he will give a breakdown by (a) ethnic background and (b) salary of the numbers of people currently employed by the Commission for Racial Equality.
§ Mr. Nicholas BakerThe information requested is detailed in the Commission for Racial Equality's annual reports, copies of which are available in the Library.