§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to encourage local authorities to take a more active role in countering racial harassment; whether he will make funds available for this purpose; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John PattenThe Government believe that it is important that vigorous and visible action is taken to combat racial harassment.
The ministerial group on crime prevention is considering a report by an interdepartmental working group which has examined ways in which the police and local authorities might improve their response to racial harassment within their existing resources.