§ 24. Maria EagleTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what response the Government are making to the Employment Equality Review by the Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights. [20870]
§ Mr. WorthingtonThe Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights has provided a major report on employment equality which includes over 160 recommendations. The Government's consideration of the recommendations is well advanced and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has already indicated certain recommendations on which the Government propose to take action—clarification of the law on direct recruitment of the long-term unemployed and firmer powers against persistent discriminators. The Government will give a response to the full range of SACHR's proposals in a paper to be published in the early part of this year, and those recommendations which are accepted by the Government will be implemented as appropriate.