HC Deb 24 January 1986 vol 90 c325W
Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Paymaster General what discussion he intends to have with representatives of trade union organisations and the Commission for Racial Equality about monitoring statistics and information relating to ethnic minority unemployment.

Mr. Alan Clark

As announced in my reply to the hon. Member for Norwood (Mr. Fraser) on 13 December 1985 at column 799, the Department of Employment was to undertake pilot tests in Stockton, Thornton Heath and Toxteth, to assess the feasibility of collecting ethnic minority unemployment statistics through the unemployment benefit service.

These tests were completed on 17 January 1986 and the Department is currently assessing their outcome. The Commission for Racial Equality and departmental trade union representatives will be invited to comment on the pilot tests as part of that assessment.