Lord Belhaven and Stentonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What their view is on the proposal by the Commission for Racial Equality that compulsory ethnic records should be kept by all firms of employees and applicants for employment; and whether they are aware of the widespread anxiety caused by this proposal in industry and among people of all racial groups.
§ Lord EltonThe Commission for Racial Equality has a statutory duty to keep under review the working of the Race Relations Act 1975. It has published in a consultation document a number of proposals for amending the Act, including one relating to the keeping of ethnic records of employees and job applicants. I understand that the process of consultation is continuing and that the commission has not yet decided what firm proposals it wishes to put to the Home Secretary. When such proposals are received, they will, of course, be carefully considered, but I cannot indicate now what the outcome of that consideration might be.