§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what changes are being made to the multi-cultural studies curriculum for police cadets at the Hendon police training school; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MayhewWe understand from the Commissioner that the multi-cultural studies course has not been dropped, as some reports have suggested. A small part of the course, which was not part of the original programme, has been changed to make way for training, which aims to teach the importance of basing opinions and decisions on evidence rather than on rumour and prejudice. The civilian and police teaching staff responsible for multi-cultural studies has been increased from 12 to 15.
§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of the curriculum is devoted to racial prejudice in British culture and society at the Hendon police training school.
§ Mr. MayhewThe cadets' time is divided between academic training—50 per cent.—physical education—40 per cent.—and vocational training—10 per cent.
Although multi-cultural studies, which form part of the vocational training, occupy only one or two lessons a week, the development of social awareness in the cadets is a principal aim of the cadet courses and is a continually recurring theme throughout their training.