§ Ms. AbbottTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made with the Commission for Racial Equality's investigation into treatment of psychiatric patients of different racial groups; what measures her Department has taken to support the CRE in its investigation; and whether she has been asked to authorise a notice under section 50 of the Race Relations Act 1976.
§ Mr. Peter LloydThe CRE will be running a pilot study this month in a London psychiatric hospital to test the questionnaire and methodology for the former investigation.
In September, 10 psychiatric hospitals nationwide will form the basis of the CRE's general formal investigation into the treatment of ethnic minority psychiatric patients.
I have agreed to the appointment of an additional commissioner, Dr. Suman Fernando, a practising consultant psychiatrist, to assist in this general formal investigation.
I have not been asked to authorise a notice under section 50 of the Race Relations Act 1976 in connection with this investigation.