§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether he proposes to take any immediate steps in response to the Home Affairs Select Committee report on the Commission for Racial Equality; and if he will make a statement;
(2) whether, following the First Report from the Home Affairs Committee, House of Commons Paper 46 of Session 1981–82, on the Commission for Racial Equality, he will review existing race relations legislation, with a view to seeking the repeal of the Race Relations Act 1976; and if he will make a statement;
(3) whether, following the criticisms contained in the First Report from the Home Affairs Committee, House of Commons Paper 46 of Session 1981–82, with regard to the operation and role of the Commission for Racial Equality, he will seek the repeal of those provisions of the Race Relations Act 1976 pertaining to the establishment and functions of the commission.
§ Mr. RaisonWe have no plans to abolish the Commission for Racial Equality or for the repeal of the Race Relations Act 1976. The Government are studying the report from the Home Affairs Committee, which includes a series of recommendations directed towards improving the commission's operation and effectiveness, and will reply to the Committee in the usual way.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now dismiss the chairman of the Commission for Racial Equality and take action to deal with the commission's shortcomings as reported by the Home Affairs Committee.
424W
§ Mr. RaisonThe answer to the first part of the question is "No". The Home Affairs Committee's report is being considered and the Government's response will be published in the usual way.