HC Deb 28 February 1978 vol 945 cc120-1W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why the grant to the Equal Opportunities Commission in the year 1975–76 of £269,000 had increased to £1,741,000 in the year 1977–78; and, in view of the fact that immigration has been reduced to a mere trickle, what action he has taken or intends taking to reduce these grants.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

The Equal Opportunities Commission was established in December 1975 under the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 to work towards the elimination of discrimination on grounds of sex and to promote equality of opportunity between men and women. The Commission was therefore in operation for only part of the financial year 1975–76, and during that period it was recruiting staff. The work of the Commission is not affected by the volume of immigration.