§ Mr. JannerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will take steps to increase the resources and the powers, respectively, of the Commission for Racial Equality.
§ Mr. John PattenThe Commission for Racial Equality is reviewing, with officials, the resources which it needs to carry out its functions.
There is no immediate prospect of new general race relations legislation, though specific amendments to enhance the commission's powers are made from time to time. For example, an undertaking has been given to consider an amendment to the Housing Bill to give the commission a statutory power to make codes of practice in relation to housing. In addition, the Policy Studies Institute has been commissioned to carry out a study of the effectiveness of existing legislation including the commission's powers, in respect of employment.