§ Mr. HindTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many meetings the responsible Minister has held in the last 12 months with members of the minority communities; how many of these meetings were with young people; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John PattenSince 1 July 1989, I have held 30 meetings with individuals and groups from the minority communities, of which 14 have been with young people. The meetings have taken place not only in the Home Office but also in areas such as Birmingham, Bradford, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle and Nottingham.
In addition, I have attended two meetings of the Home Secretary's advisory council on race relations, the formal interdepartmental committee on which individual members of the minority communities can advise the Government on all aspects of race relations in Britain.
All these meetings have been an invaluable opportunity for me to learn about the issues that concern our minority communities. I have also been able to discuss ways of developing Britain as an integrated, multiracial society in which the minority communities can participate fully and freely without fear of prejudice and discrimination.