§ Mr. Wheelerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what meetings of the Advisory Council on Race Relations have taken place since 31 March; and what subjects were discussed.
§ Mr. BrittanThe council met on 29 April under my chairmanship. Discussion concentrated on two issues. First, there was a positive and constructive discussion on the Swann report on the education of children from ethnic minority groups. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education led the discussion, which ranged widely over the major recommendations of the report, but 515W focused particularly on the possible causes of educational under-achievement and the question of ethnic monitoring of pupils and teachers.
The council also had a most useful discussion about the role of the Manpower Services Commission, focusing on the training opportunities it could offer to people from the minority communities. The chairman of the MSC was present and reported on a number of positive steps which had been taken since the council last considered this issue in October 1984.