§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will call for a report from the Avon and Somerset police as to the extent the police force which covers the area involved in the recent Bristol riots contains persons from multi-ethnic groups, and as to the action taken, or intended to be taken, to increase membership of the ethnic groups in areas of large immigration in general, and the Bristol area in particular.
§ Mr. WhitelawThe Avon and Somerset constabulary includes four officers from ethnic minorities, one of whom is stationed in the district of Bristol in which the riots occurred. The chief constable asures me that it is his policy to encourage the recruitment of suitable applicants from the ethnic minorities. In addition to contacts by the force with members of the minority groups themselves, its community relations department maintains close contact with those concerned with finding employment for members of these minorities, and suitable candidates are encouraged to apply.