§ Mr. Michael Brownasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the function of the Race Relations Employment Advisory Group; how many people it employs; and what is the total cost to public funds per annum.
§ Mr. MayhewThis group advises Department of Employment Ministers on matters relating to the employment of the ethnic minorities. Its membership includes the chairmen of the Manpower Services Commission, the Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service and the Commission for Racial Equality, representatives of both sides of industry and the local authorities, and members of the ethnic minorities. It employs no staff; meetings are serviced by Department of Employment staff, all of whom are mainly engaged on other duties. Apart from departmental staff time, the only identifiable extra cost to public funds is about £200 a year for travelling and connected expenses incurred by members.