§ Sir G. Sinclairasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what financial support is being provided during the current year towards the work of the community relations councils by those local authorities within whose areas substantial numbers of coloured population are residing; which of these authorities are at present providing little or no such support; and whether his Department proposes to advise them to do so.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesI understand that, of the fifty-two community relations councils which employ full-time officers, fifty are receiving financial or other material support from their local authorities; and that two local authorities have so far been unwilling to provide any assistance. I am sending details to the 107W hon. Member. The Government has always taken the view that, to be fully effective, these councils must have the support of their local authorities; and I hope that as the scope and number of the councils expand, local authorities will continue to provide this.