§ Mr. Proctorasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will describe in the Official Report the nature, structure and costs of the Department's race relations employment advisory service; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkThe race relations employment advisory service is a specialist service which has been provided by the Department of Employment since 1968, to offer help and guidance to employers and unions on the wide range of issues which can arise in the management of a multi-racial work force. It also gives support to the Department of Employment group on matters relating to race relations in employment. It offers nationwide coverage through a complement of 24 field advisers based in areas of high ethnic minority settlement, ie in London, Birmingham, Nottingham, Leeds and Manchester. Two principal advisers, stationed in London and Sheffield, are responsible for the organisation and control of the day to day work of the service. Total costs of the service during 1983–84 were estimated at about £620,000.