§ Mr. Greville Janner asked the Secretary of State for Employment if, in view of the conclusions of the Home Office research study No. 68 "Ethnic Minorities in Britain", he will now take steps to remedy the high unemployment rates suffered by ethnic minorities and in particular by Asian women.
§ Mr. Alison:The conclusions of the Home Office research study are based on an analysis of available information brought together from a number of earlier studies and data. Successive Governments have long been aware of evidence from surveys of higher unemployment rates amongst the ethnic minorities. The Government believe that their policy of establishing a sound economy as the basis for sustainable growth is the best course for the ethnic minorities as well as for the country as a whole. Experience has shown that the ethnic minorities have always benefited proportionately more than other workers when the economy has taken a turn for the better.
The needs of the unemployed from the ethnic minorities are taken fully into account, along with other relevant information, in applying and when reviewing employment policies. Young people from the ethnic minorities are making good use of opportunities available under the Government's special measures to alleviate the worst effects of unemployment and they will of course be benefiting proportionately from the considerable expansion of these measures announced by the Prime Minister on 27 July.