§ Mr. John Grantasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether (a) the Trades Union Congress, and (b) the Confederation of British Industry has informed him that it is satisfied with the draft code of employment practice produced by the Commission for Racial Equality; and what response he has made in each case.
§ Mr. PriorI have received no such communications. I understand that both bodies have suggested a number of detailed amendments which the commission will no doubt take into account in preparing its final draft.
408W
§ Mr. John Grantasked the Secretary of State for Employment why he has not presented to Parliament the draft code of employment practice produced by the Commission for Racial Equality; whether the Government have objections to the proposals; if so what they are; and when he will present the draft code to Parliament.
§ Mr. PriorSection 47 of the Race Relations Act 1976 requires the Commission for Racial Equality formally to submit its draft code of practice to me if, following completion of its consultations, it decides to proceed with the draft. At that stage, if I approve of it, I am required to lay it before both Houses of Parliament. If I do not approve of it, I must publish details of my reasons for withholding approval. As the draft code has not been formally submitted to me by the Commission for Racial Equality, no formal response or decision by the Government is yet called for.