§ Dr. KumarTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to tackle racial strife in Bradford, Oldham and Burnley; and if he will make a statement. [2588]
§ Angela Eagle[holding answer 9 July 2001]: Shortly after the recent disturbances in Oldham, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary met representatives from a number of local communities and agencies to discuss the situation in the town. As a result, an action plan for recovery, to be prepared in Oldham by local fora including leaders of the Asian and White communities, police authorities and business leaders, is to be prepared within the next four months. We have made it clear that the Government, across all Departments, stand ready to offer support and independent advice as needed to help towns such as Bradford, Oldham and Burnley begin to heal their divisions and build a better future.
I visited Oldham to meet local people and learn about the town's problems at first hand. We welcome the fact that community leaders and the police are discussing what happened in Burnley and why. We are of course ready to work with local communities to ensure the safety and peaceful co-existence of people that live there. I remain convinced that the primary job of tackling the root causes of the complex social and specific problems that give rise to divisions and disturbances of this kind must be done at local level. We do of course welcome any local initiatives that help to address these issues in a constructive manner. In a statement to the House of Commons the Home Secretary announced the establishment of a ministerial group with a dedicated review team to undertake further work within communities over the summer. It will provide a direct link between Ministers and these communities. The review team will seek views from people on the ground, working closely with local people to identify further what needs to be done. This team will work in areas that have suffered violence as well as similar areas that have not.
The review team will provide a clear link between local communities and Ministers, reporting regularly over the summer and producing a final report and recommendations in September. It will be an important way of helping local people provide local solutions, while drawing out issues for policy consideration at national as well as local and community levels.
We have made available funding for additional sporting and leisure and cultural activities for young people over the summer months.