§ 49. Mr. Bernie Grantasked the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has to tackle the severe discrimination faced by black people and minority ethnic groups in employment; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NichollsThe Government are firmly committed to the elimination of all unlawful discrimination and to the promotion of equal opportunities in employment for all workers regardless of race.
To this end the Department of Employment's race relations employment advisory service gives help and guidance to employers on issues concerned with the equality of treatment for all workers both as regards to access to work and progress within employment. In recent years the service has been advising on the provisions of the Commission for Racial Equality's code of practice on the elimination of discrimination in employment.
160WThe policy is also pursued through the Manpower Services Commission which seeks to ensure equal access for people of different races to all its public employment and training services and also supports language training to improve the employment prospects of members of ethnic minorities.
In addition the Department is playing a full part in implementing the Government's policy of ensuring equal opportunity in the Civil Service for people from the ethnic minorities, both at the recruitment stage and in their subsequent careers.
The reduction and elimination of racial discrimination in employment requires not only action by the Government but also the support of employers, trade unions and the community in general.