§ Mr. WattsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he plans to publish the Commission for Racial Equality's 1999 annual report; and if he will make a statement. [137031]
§ Mr. StrawThe Commission for Racial Equality's annual report 1999 is published today and copies have been laid before Parliament.
Exceptionally this year the report goes beyond the 12 calendar months stipulated by the Race Relations Act 1976 and covers a 15 month period thus encompassing both the calendar year 1999 and the financial year 1999–2000.
The Commission for Racial Equality have produced a report which they believe meets both the requirements of the Race Relations Act 1976 and the Commission's own need to report on achievements against targets which are based on the financial year.
However, since the Race Relations Act 1976 requires reports to be made in relation to the calendar year, and as soon as practicable after the end of the year, we have advised the Commission that future reports need to follow these requirements until such times as Parliament may decide to amend the Act.
Copies have also been placed in the Library and they have been sent to the Scottish Parliament and the National Assembly for Wales.