HC Deb 03 August 1972 vol 842 cc165-6W
28. Mr. O'Halloran

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a further statement regarding the discrimination in the private employment sector; and what plans he has in mind to diminish this.

Mr. Channon

My right hon. Friend has asked me to chair a working party consisting of representatives of employers and unions, with the following terms of referenceTo consider what steps, whether in regard to law or practice, should be taken to counter religious discrimination where it may exist in the private sector of employment in Northern Ireland.

Invitations will be sent very shortly to the CBI, the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Northern Ireland Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions to nominate people to serve. It is intended that the examination of this matter should be comprehensive and completely open, and the experience and judgment of the bodies I have mentioned will be invaluable.