HC Deb 05 March 1979 vol 963 cc580-2W
Mr. Fitt

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many cases alleging discrimination on the grounds of religion have been referred to the Fair Employment Agency.

Mr. Concannon

69 complaints of unlawful discrimination on the grounds of religion have been made to the Fair Employment Agency. In 34 other complaints, it is not clear whether the alleged discrimination is on grounds of political belief or religion.

Mr. Fitt

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many cases alleging discrimination against private firms have ben referred to the Fair Employment Agency; and if he will name the private firms against which allegations of discrimination have been made.

Mr. Concannon

46 complaints alleging unlawful discrimination by private firms have been made to the Fair Employment Agency. I share the opinion of the Agency that it would not be in the best interest of the Agency or of individual firms to name those firms against which allegations of discrimination have been made.

Mr. Fitt

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many cases alleging discrimination against public authorities have been referred to the Fair Employment Agency; and if he will name the public authorities against which allegations of discrimination have been made.

Mr. Concannon

71 complaints alleging unlawful discrimination against public authorities have been received by the Fair Employment Agency, of which 23 have not been pursued. 22 cases remain under investigation. As the Agency has made a finding of unlawful discrimination in only 3 of the 26 cases it has investigated, I do not think it is in the public interest to name those authorities against which allegations were made.

Mr. Fitt

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action has been taken against private firms which have been found guilty of discrimination.

Mr. Concannon

None. The Fair Employment Agency has made one finding of unlawful discrimination committed by a private firm. This is the subject of an appeal to the county court.

Mr. Fitt

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action has been taken against public authorities which have been found guilty of discrimination.

Mr. Concannon

None. The Fair Employment Agency has made three findings that unlawful discrimination has been committed by public authorities. These findings have been the subject of appeal to the county court. In one appeal the court disagreed with the Agency's finding and quashed the complaint. The two other appeals have yet to be heard.

Mr. Fitt

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many cases alleging discrimination on the grounds of political belief have been referred to the Fair Employment Agency; and how many cases alleging discrimination on the grounds of political belief have been proved.

Mr. Concannon

14 complaints alleging unlawful discrimination on the grounds of political belief have been made to the Fair Employment Agency. In 34 other complaints, it is not clear whether the alleged discrimination is on grounds of political belief or religion. The Agency has made a finding of unlawful discrimination on the grounds of political belief in one case.